Jerry Hall

Jerry Lee Hall, born in Boulder, Colorado, on February 2, 1938, to Floyd and Blanche Hall, passed away peacefully at home with family on May 30, 2026. Visitation for Jerry will be on June 9 from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm at Grandon Funeral Home in Ames, Iowa. A celebration of his life will be on June 10 at 1:30 at First United Methodist Church in Ames. Jerry grew up in Massena, Iowa, where he was both a scholar and an athlete. Although he began his college career at Iowa State Teachers' College, Jerry earned B.S. and M.S degrees in Mechanical Engineering and his Ph.D. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from Iowa State University. For 37 years, Jerry shared his knowledge as a professor at Iowa State University, teaching mechanical engineering courses. He retired as Professor Emeritus from the university in 1997. Jerry's professional contributions extended well beyond academia. He worked with Boeing Aircraft and NASA, and practiced mechanical engineering as a licensed professional engineer for 52 years through consulting firms he founded and maintained, including Hall Engineering, Prototype Engineering, Hall-Wade Engineering, and Ames Forensic Engineers. Hall Engineerin...[more]

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ired numerous ISU students who became friends and family. Jerry loved life and lived it to the fullest. He was an active and accomplished athlete who participated in high school and Junior League baseball and high school basketball. Jerry continued to play baseball at ISU, where he earned two letters. Later, he became a state and national contender in handball, winning numerous singles and doubles tournaments. Mastering golf had been Jerry's most recent sporting challenge. Jerry was a passionate aviator and became a certified pilot with multi-engine, commercial, and instrument ratings, logging over 4,000 flight hours in single and twin-engine airplanes. There were several years where Jerry flew to all the away ISU football and men's basketball games. Jerry served on the ISU Athletic Council. Jerry was consistently involved in his community. Green Hills Retirement Community, First United Methodist Church and Kiwanis were his recent focus. He served on the GH Advisory Council and Board. At FUMC and served on several committees and enjoyed Bible study classes, never missing a homework assignment. He enjoyed Kiwanis' service projects, working with Key Club, and participating in the Senior Variety. Jerry's professional associations included ASME, SAE, and Phi Beta Kappa. Honorary societies included Tau Beta Pi, Phi Kappa Phi, and Pi Tau Sigma. Jerry served on the National Handball Association Board and was a member of the Hinder Club of Des Moines. Jerry also served on the Ames Golf and Country Club Board and Lookout Village Condominium Board. Jerry and Nancy were lifelong ISU supporters and true fans. Jerry was a member of the ISU Cyclone Club, Letterman's Club, and Alumni Association. He and his wife, Nancy, were honored as ISU's Favorite Alumni in 2005. Jerry is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 69 years, Nancy, his high school sweetheart; their three children: Cindy Hall Larson (Paul), Tami Carlson (Tom), and Debra Hall-Butler; grandchildren (Carter, Jenna, Brittany, Michaela, and Samantha); and a growing number of great-grandchildren (10 to date), all of whom were dearly loved. Extended family members include in-laws Shirley Hall, Sharon Cron (Ray), Kathy Kirkham (Steve), and Kent Kirkham (Janette) and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death are his parents, sister and brother-in-law Allene and Warren Roberts, brother Roger Hall, and brother-in-law Steve Kirkham. Jerry Lee Hall will be remembered for his unwavering dedication to education, engineering, sports, faith, and, above all, family. He was a longtime supporter of Iowa State University and an avid Cyclone fan whose legacy of service, leadership, and devotion will be cherished by all who knew him. Jerry will be missed by his family and friends. We will miss his kindness, his joy in doing and his "drive to do and learn". Memorial donations may be made to First United Methodist Church or Ames Golf and Country Club.