Delano Jerome Hall, 66, of Ashland, Virginia passed away unexpectantly with his family at his side on Sunday, July 23, 2023.

Delano was affectionately known as "Delna" or "Lano" by his family and friends.  He was born on September 21, 1956, to the late Alton Robinson and Irene Hall.  At an early age, he was baptized at the Brown Grove Baptist Church.  He was educated in the Hanover County School System. He continued his education with the University of California Berkley where he received his bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering.

Delano moved to Galveston Texas where he began his career at Phillip 66 as an engineer.  He loved being in Texas but began to miss his family and decided to move closer to home.  He moved to the Williamsburg, Virginia area to begin a new career at Amoco Oil Company as an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Inspector.  He held a Trainer Card with OSHA which is the highest certification to achieve. A Trainer Card allowed him to teach and train other OSHA workers in the industry.  Only a few people in the United States had this type of hierarchy.

If you would sit and have a conversation with Delna, you would find that he always had something knowledgeable to tell you.  He was very wise and could talk for hours about the environment and environmental waste.  He would lobby on steps of the congress fighting for environmental protection for all people.  He loves science and would spend hours watching the constellation through his telescope.  He would then explain his observations to us, and no one had a clue of what he was talking about.  We just looked at him in awe.

Once Delano returned to the Richmond area, he united with Greater Nazarene Baptist Church under the leadership of his uncle Rev. Earl B. Hall, Sr.   Once his mother's health started to fail, he jumped into the role of her caregiver and was taking care of her until his untimely death.  Delano loved his brother and would often say how proud he was of him.  He would lend a helping hand to help his aunts living on Pear Tree.  He especially enjoyed talking to his cousins and his New Jersey family.

He is preceded in death by his cousins, Larry Hall, Derrick Hall, Antion Hall, Rev. Cynthia Hall and Karlton Davis.  He leaves to cherish wonderful memories, mother, Irene H. Jones; brother, Anthony L. Hall (Malinda); four aunts, Joyce Goodall, Marlene Hall, Mahala Hall, Almon Hall; one uncle, Rev. Earl B. Hall, Sr.; 10 first cousins that were like sisters and brothers, Cheryl Capehart, Carolyn Alston, Robin Highsmith, Robert Hall, Jr., Lynette Davis, Kevin Hall, Earl Hall, Jr., Rachael Goodall, Andre Goodall, Trina Goodall, Rodney Hall, Melanie Bowers; devoted and special friend Louella Nelson.

Delano will be missed by all that knew him.  His smile and laughter will forever be in our hearts.  Until we see you again Delna, rest on.