Craig Gerald Hall

Everyone who met Craig knew that they had met a one-of-a-kind man. "He was a giant of a man, so much heart, intellect, insight and always some unique and absolutely fascinating way of looking at the world," one friend wrote. This fascinating way of looking at the world sometimes made for fierce arguments, sometimes hilarious laughter, sometimes begrudging agreement, and sometimes that Ah Ha! that comes after a particularly pointed insight. A gruff exterior barely disguised his tender heart. He cried at sad programs or parts of books; he teared up when touched by kindness or love. Craig was born in Vacaville to Margaret Elizabeth Dally and Richard Calvin Hall. His father was an immigrant from England and his mother a descendent of Mayflower Pilgrims and a third generation Californian whose great grandfather brought a carriage factory around the horn to establish a business in San Francisco soon after the Gold Rush. Margaret married a farmer, George Dally of Solano County, in 1905. Family history and responsibility to the family were important to Craig. He always took the "long view," seeing the everyday decisions as part of a larger pattern that affects the life we all live. That was why he despaired over the loss of habitat and riparian forests, created a bird island on his property, and fought against unwise use of too-powerful herbicides and pesticides. He took great pride that he "beat Dow Chemical" while a planner in Oregon by proving at a hearing in Washington DC that the chemical being used throughout the watershed was affecting all the watercourses, not confined to the area sprayed. He served in the United States Army from 1963 to 1966. Upon returning to civilian life, he completed his BS in Geography at San Francisco State. He worked in agriculture for several years and then went to Oregon as a Land Use Planner. Craig came to Yuba County in 1982 as the Principal Planner for the county. He retired from that position in 1989, and became a Land Use Planning and Design Consultant. He also taught in Yuba County schools from 1993-1998. He was good at mentoring young men who had not been successful in school, cajoling and hectoring them into learning. He also took them on bird watching field trips and hired them to work in his orchard. He remembered their names and the names of brothers and sisters of every class he taught or substituted in - to the amazement and sometime chagrin of the students. Craig was preceded in death by his father Richard Calvin Hall, his brother Richard Gregor Hall, his mother Margaret Elizabeth Dally Hall Hansen, and his daughter Brenna Laurel Hall. Craig is survived by his wife, Martha Curtiss Bunce, his daughter Paige Standfield (Todd) of San Anselmo, granddaughter Christina Chelew (Lucas) of Granite Bay, great grandson Cameron, great grand daughter Hadley, grandson Stephen Nelson, his son Arend Hall of Corvallis Oregon, Brenna's daughter Isabella Hall Saunders of Marysville, his nephew Ian Hall of Napa and daughter Jayden and son Bryce, his niece Ashley Hall (Chance Shaver) of Napa and son Donovan and daughter Gabriella, Martha's daughters Heather Ablog (Ken) and their children Mackenzie, Kyle and Miranda of El Dorado Hills, and Kirsten Corbin (Jason) of West Sacramento, Martha's step-daughter Soleil Lambert of Folsom and her son Sidney, and Isabella's grandmother Linda McPhee of Newport Oregon. He loved his family above all. The deaths of his father when Craig was a teenager and later of his older brother were devastating. The death of his daughter almost broke his heart. He cherished his brother's children and tried to be a father figure to them. He held us all - steps and non steps alike - in his huge heart. We will sorely miss the stories of his childhood, the ongoing saga of Bob the Bear, Rocky Raccoon and their friend Carl, his playing Marco Polo in the pool, his huge hugs, his great strength, his towering presence, his warm and tender heart, and the love he had for all of us. He was loyal, trustworthy and the most articulate and well read non English major Martha ever met. Visitation will start at 12:00 noon, followed by services at 2:00 P.M. on Tuesday, August 2, 2016 at the Ullrey Memorial Chapel. A reception will follow. Memorials in Craig's name to the Audubon Society or to Loma Rica Elementary School PTA or library fund are suggested in lieu of flowers. -