James T. Hall

James Thomas Hall OD, 79, of Cape Girardeau , Missouri passed away Friday, June 5, 2026 at his home. He was born November 16, 1946 in Cape Girardeau to Frank W. Hall MD and Martha Knospe Hall. As there was a post WWII shortage of physicians, with no other physician available he was delivered by his father. Jim Tom grew up in Cape Girardeau. As a young man he worked on a Mississippi tow boat as a deck hand, was part of a California Forestry survey crew and was a pilot. He graduated from Southeast Missouri State University's College High in 1964. He continued his education at Southeast Missouri State graduating in 1968 with degrees in Chemistry and Mathematics. He and Cynthia Walters were married in Sikeston, MO, in August of 1968. Following their marriage they taught school in the Scott City Missouri School System where they comprised the High School and Junior High Science Departments for the 1968-69 school year. He then completed his professional education at Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee where he was graduated with a Doctorate of Optometry in 1973. Upon graduating he opened his Optometric practice in Cape Girardeau and a satellite office in Piedmont, MO, where he served his patients for 45 years. In addition to belonging to the American and the Missouri Optometric Associations he was a past president and 50 year member of the Cape Girardeau Lions Club where he supported the Local, State and Lions International in their efforts to provide glasses, treatment and research projects for better vision for all. He was a member of Compass United Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau. He was preceded in death by his parents, his stepmother Marge Hall Loiseau-Bauerle and two brothers, Frank W, (Ethel Daume) Hall, Jr., Roland K. Hall and Brother-in-Law E. Lansing Walters. He is survived by his wife of nearly 58 years, Cynthia, two daughters, Ashley Hall Jones (Jason Pins) and Granddaughter Freya Arianwen Jones of O'Fallon, IL, Regen Lynn Hall of Cape Girardeau, MO and brother, Dr. John (Jerre) Hall of Cape Girardeau, MO. He is also survived by his Sister-in- Law Bobbie Hall of Santa Cruz, CA, Sister-in-Law Robin (Dr. Steven Goertz) of Gainesville, FL, Sister-in- Law LaDona Walters of Cedar Park, TX. Surviving nieces and nephews include Roland (Laura) Hall and son Tyler, Melissa (Scott) Cohn and sons Jonathan (Lena) and Jason (Sanjana), Sabrina(Ty) Hoeke and children Jackson, Onica and Tyler, John Paul (Cari) Hall and children Jack, Raleigh and Libby, Juliann (James) Sechrest and son Landon (Sherri Wakefield) and children Chaz and Journee, Lance Walters, Jason (Rachel) Walters and daughter Vivienne, Hunter (Magali Tricoche) Goertz, Hans (Dr. Verity Salmon) Goertz and son Arlo, Dr. Mac (Bri Larose) Goertz. Jim Tom loved his family fiercely and was always interested, accepting and encouraging. His laughter and his smile are indelible in their memories. He enjoyed his patients and was genuinely interested in their stories while always ready with a story of his own. In his later years his health issues were met with Acceptance, Gratitude, Grace and Faith. Honoring his wishes there will be a private family memorial at his cabin, the place he loved most on this Earth, in the Fall. Donations may be made to Compass United Methodist Church District Office, 6 Clark Street, Cape Girardeau, Missouri 63701 or to Cape Girardeau Lions Club, PO Box 81, Cape Girardeau, Missouri 63701. Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com. Ford & Sons Funeral Home - Mt. Auburn is in charge of arrangements.

Tributes

James T. Hall

November 16, 1946 - June 5, 2026