STATE ROAD — Before Thursday night’s little league match-up in Mountain Park, a crowd gathered to pay respects to Jeff Hall and his family during the unveiling of the Jeff R. Hall Field.

Hall was a member of the Mountain Park community, having attended Mountain Park Elementary School as a child and his children having attended school there as well, who was respected as evident by the people who turned out for the unveiling of the sign.

“My daddy loved this community,” said Kristy Cox, Hall’s daughter who served as the spokesperson for the family. “We all have some very wonderful memories of this school and this ball field. Thank you to all who had a hand in this project. I know without a shadow of a doubt my dad is looking down right now with a big smile.”

Hall was also a member of the Surry County Schools Board of Education from 2004 to 2009. During that time he played an integral role in redoing the park in front of Mountain Park Elementary that now houses the ball field. He was also a part of the team that started the process of building the two new schools set to open this fall and the conversion of Pilot Mountain Middle School into an elementary school.

“This is a token of how we feel about Jeff. As a board, we want to recognize the contributions Jeff made to this community,” said Dr. Ashley Hinson, superintendent. “The way I’ll remember Jeff is as a friend. He leaves a tremendous legacy.”

“I don’t know if there is any way to do Jeff justice in words,” said Brian Gates, board of education vice chair, who spoke on behalf of the school board. “He dearly loved Mountain Park and dearly loved this school.”

A number of other people also spoke to Hall’s character and the role he played in their lives.

“Jeff Hall was a friend to all, he was a friend to anybody that would be a friend to him. Jeff will be missed and we just want to honor his family,” said Paul Johnson, chair of the Surry County Board of Commissioners.

“I spent my whole life looking up to my daddy both physically and spiritually,” said Cox.

“I loved Papa all my life. I knew him as a great person and I’ll always think of him as a hero to me,” said Noah Cox, Hall’s grandson along with Mason. “I’ll always love him no matter what happens.”

Hall died Dec. 18 at the age of 51 after battling cancer for a year and a half. He worked for the county as a building inspector as well as serving on the school board.

Contact Morgan Wall at mwall@mtairynews.com or 719-1929.