Uncrowned Community Builders

James H. Hall Sr., a native of Anniston, Alabama, moved to Buffalo in the early 1960s after he married Cassandra Brown in 1962. She died in 1990. A 1961 graduate of Alabama State University, where he lettered in football, basketball, baseball and track.

For many years, Mr. Hall taught art at East High School during the day and worked at the General Motors Foundry plant, which is now the General Motors Powertrain plant in the Town of Tonawanda, in the evenings. He completed a master's degree at the University at Buffalo in 1987.

Before returning to his hometown, Mr. Hall worked as a legislative assistant to former Deputy Assembly Speaker Arthur O. Eve, who recruited him to help increase the numbers of local minority students enrolled at four-year colleges. In Anniston, Mr. Hall compiled more than 5,000 sources for scholarships and grants available to students there. He also worked with a number of youth organizations and other community groups in Anniston.

Mr. Hall was the father of three sons, James H. II, Quincey M. and Therrell L.; three daughters, Valerie Stewart Truss, Agnes Shawn Hall and Kimberly D.