Jerome Andrew Hall, 85 of Lead passed away February 6, 2012 after a brief illness.

Visitation will be from 5-8 P.M., Thursday, February 9, 2012 at the Lead-Deadwood Memorial Chapel.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M., Friday, February 10, 2012 at Grace Lutheran Church, 827 Main Street in Deadwood with Reverend Gordon Goldammer officiating.

A memorial has been established to benefit the Brownsville Volunteer Fire Department.

Jerome was born November 3, 1926 to Byron and Minnie (Harvey) Hall at the family homestead near Brownsville, S.D. Jerome and his six siblings learned the value of hard work and the importance of hunting and fishing while growing up along Elk Creek.

Jerome attended grade school at the Roubaix School. He attended Lead High School where he was the captain of the 1945 undefeated football team. The Digger Eleven, with their smooth working T-formation, chalked up a total of 166 points to their opponents' 45 points for the season. Additionally, Jerome enjoyed boxing and participating in the Golden Gloves program where it was said his left jab was like getting struck by a 2x4. Jerome's education included instruction on welding, which became the focus of his professional life.

After completing high school, Jerome began welding for the Homestake Gold Mine. He married Marjorie Peterson in 1946 in Broadus, MT. Jerome and Marjorie had three children: Diane, Carrie and David. Jerome and Marjorie moved to Denver where Jerome worked for KF Products, which was a large welding and machine company that worked on rockets and other space technology. The move to Colorado worked out well for Jerome because he learned new welding technology while he found mountains to climb and large mule deer to hunt. Jerome climbed several of the mountains that were 14,000 feet, or higher, in elevation, Members of his family later followed in his footsteps on some of the same mountains. His trophy bucks from Colorado were a source of pride for him.

Jerome could not remain away from the place he loved most so, he and Marjorie returned to the farm on Elk Creek and eventually purchased land nearby, which originally had been a homestead of Hall ancestors. Jerome began his own welding business in Deadwood. The welding shop on Main Street focused on repairing logging and farm equipment. Marjorie remained by his side by helping in the business and hunting and fishing with him. Eventually, the shop was moved to Spearfish. Marjorie passed away, too soon, in 1986. Jerome continued to work and eventually his son Dave joined him. Jerome taught many boys and men the skill and art of welding. He was a patient teacher with highly respected skills. He worked hard but made time for his friends. Spare time was spent hunting and fishing with his family and friends. Jerome's patient nature gave him an extraordinary ability to shoot well. He participated in competitive shooting events and earned a state championship title. In the hunting parties, Jerome's shooting ability was respected, which was remarkable because everyone in his family could shoot well.

In preparation for retirement, Jerome learned to golf. He met his second wife, Dolores Comer, at the Tomahawk Country Club. Jerome attempted retirement several times but found it did not appeal to him. If it was not hunting season, then he preferred to be working. Eventually, Jerome and Dave closed their welding shop and focused on expanding their gravel pit on the Brownsville road. He operated the front-end loader and managed the computerized scale until two years ago.

Jerome was preceded in death by his parents, Byron and Minnie Hall; wife, Marjorie; sister, Nadine Raskob; wife, Dolores and daughter, Diane.

Jerome is survived by, his daughter, Carrie (Stuart) Mealy of Colorado; his son, David (Paula) Hall of SD; grandson, Heath (Margaret) Phillips of CO; grandson, Dean (Brooks) Phillips of MT; granddaughter, Daisy (Rich)(Brooks) Weborg of CO; and grandson, Dalton Hall of SD; step-sons, Con (Vicki) Comer and their children and grandchildren and Craig (Lori) Comer and their children and grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren; brother, Kenneth (Betty) Hall of AZ; sister, Willow (Jack) Williamson of AK; brother, Dale Hall and Jenny Hayes of SD; sister, Sharon Rantapaa of SD; and sister, Tacy (Marshall) Carr of AZ; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the staff of the Garden Hills Assisted Living facility and the staff of Spearfish Regional Hospital. The family especially appreciated the care provided by Jerome's long-time physician, Dr. Vosler and the kindness shown to him by Dr. Van Marel.

Arrangements are under the care of the Lead-Deadwood Memorial Chapel in Lead. Online condolences may be sent to www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com.