A good man died this week.

[rug]

Thomas Francis Hall
Port Jervis, NY

Mr. Thomas Francis Hall of Port Jervis, NY, died Monday, October 27, 2008 at home. He was 87.

He was born November 5, 1920 in Easton, KS, the son of the late Joseph and Mary Cahill Hall.

Thomas was a veteran of U.S. Army Air Corps, serving from 1935 to the 1950's and was in President Truman's Presidential Guard Unit. He flew on the Sacred Cow, which was President Truman's plane. He also held the highest rank of an enlisted soldier, which was Commander Sergeant Major.

Thomas was an active member of Roosa-Fleming V.F.W. Post #161, Port Jervis. In 1947 he joined the United States V.F.W. in Adelphi, Alaska and was a member for 56 years. He also sold "Buddie Poppies" each year for the V.F.W.

Survivors include his sisters, Helen Thompson of Kansas City, KS and Jeanette Porter of Kansas City, KS; four nephews: Charles, Jim and Gary Winkler and Ben Thompson; also great-nieces and nephews; many close friends who were like family at The Roosa Fleming V.F.W., in Port Jervis and Dad's change of pace especially his close friends, Floyd Babcock and Dawn Amato of Sparrowbush. He was predeceased by brother, Patrick Hall and a sister, Mary Esther Winkler.

There will be no visitation.

Graveside Funeral Services with military honors will be held Wednesday, November 5, at 3 p.m. Orange County Veterans' Memorial Cemetery, 111 Craigville Rd., Goshen, NY. Cremation will be at H.G. Smith Crematory, Stroudsburg, PA.

Memorial contributions may be made to Roosa-Fleming V.F.W. Post #161, 47-51 Owen St., Port Jervis, NY 12771.

Funeral arrangements are by the Gray-Parker Funeral Home, 100 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY 12771. For additional information, directions or to send condolences, please call 845-856-5191 or visit www.grayparkerfuneralhome.com.

http://www.legacy.com/RecordOnline/Obituaries.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonId=119605841

I only knew him the last five years. He also served on FDR's presidential plane and escorted his body back from Georgia. You will be missed, Tom.