John Gladden Hall

John Gladden Hall, age 82, of Arkadelphia, died Friday, Aug. 14. He was the son of W. N. Hall, former Grant County Judge, and Bernice Trotter Mathews Hall; grandson of John Reed Mathews, former Grant County Judge, Clerk, and Sheriff and Lucille Trotter Mathews of Sardis, Miss. His lineage included Gilliam Mathews, a Grant County pioneer; James T. Trotter, a Mississippi planter, and Dr. T. L. Boswell, a noted Southern Methodist minister. A native of Sheridan, he graduated from Sheridan High. As a history major, he earned three degrees: a Bachelor of Arts from Arkansas State Teachers College (University of Central Arkansas) where he was drum major for the marching band; a Master of Arts from The University of Arkansas; and a Doctor of Philosophy from The University of Mississippi, his beloved Ole Miss. He served in the US Army as a chaplain's assistant and organist in Frankfurt/Main, Germany. As a Ford Fellow, he taught history at Hot Springs High School. In Fall 1963, he began his 50-year association with Henderson State University. He advanced through the faculty ranks from Instructor to Professor and retired as Professor Emeritus. President Martin Garrison named him Director of Development and Executive Secretary of the HSU Foundation, the position from which he retired in 2013. After retirement, he was an Assistant to the President for Special Projects. He remained an active member of the HSU Foundation Board until March 2015. In 1974, his book, Henderson State University: The Methodist Years, was published by the HSU Alumni Association. Proceeds from the sales of the book helped fund several HSU Alumni scholarships. In April 1975, the HSU Board of Trustees recognized him with a special resolution and a commemorative plaque. In 2002, the HSU President's Concert was dedicated to John. He was an active United Methodist; he served on the Board of Trustees, the Finance Committee, and the Pastor-Parish Relations Committee of Arkadelphia First United Methodist. A loyal member of Arkadelphia Rotary Club, he earned multiple Paul Harris Fellow awards. Survivors are his wife, Julia Oxner Hall of Arkadelphia; daughter, LeeAnn Hyde and husband, Todd Sanford Hyde; grandchildren, Johnny Sanford Hyde and Julia Kay Hyde, all of Park Ridge, Ill. He had two special nephews, Willie Oxner and family of Brinkley and Michael Oxner and family of Searcy. He leaves several extended family members and a myriad of friends. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 19 at First United Methodist Church, Arkadelphia. Arrangements are under the directions of Ruggles-Wilcox Funeral Home. Celebration of the Life of John Hall will follow at 3:30 p.m. at the Captain Henderson House. In keeping with John's philanthropic endeavors, in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, Arkadelphia or the John and Julia Hall Scholarship Endowment at HSU Foundation, Box 7550, Arkadelphia, AR 71999-0001 or to a charity of your choice. Sign online guestbook at www.ruggleswilcox.com.