Mark Creel Hall of Lubbock died on Nov. 20, 2022 in Austin at the age of 74. 

Mark was born in Lubbock, Texas on March 24, 1948. After graduating from Monterey High School in 1966, he attended Texas Tech University, graduating in 1970. He was a charter member of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity. He graduated from Texas Tech University School of Law in 1973. 

Mark lived a full life as a father, advocate, trial lawyer, magistrate, teacher, mentor, and friend. He practiced law for 48 years, as a plaintiff’s trial lawyer and criminal defense attorney. An avid defender of people and their civil rights, Mark’s most notable cases included: the landmark right-to-counsel case Stearnes vs. Clinton, Jones vs. the City of Lubbock, a historic plaintiff’s voting rights case, and multiple capital murder death penalty cases -- though he bragged the most about Molly’s traffic ticket trial. Mark was appointed as the first Lubbock County Criminal Magistrate and Associate Judge, and his later career included work as State Counsel for Offenders throughout the Texas Panhandle/South Plains region.

In addition to his legal practice, Mark was deeply involved in his community, serving on the Board of Directors of the Lubbock Black Chamber of Commerce, Women’s Protective Services, City of Lubbock Human Relations Board, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, and the South Plains Trial Lawyers Association. He was a charter member and past-president of the Lubbock Criminal Defense Lawyers Association.

Mark loved Texas Tech athletics, chicken fried steak, history, and the great outdoors, especially hunting and fishing with his children. While Mark never missed an opportunity to speak with pride about his children, his kids were really proud of him too. Through his everyday words and actions, Mark taught his children the importance of being an ethical, humble, kind, accepting and honest person. Mark rarely if ever judged -- except from the bench when it was his responsibility to judge -- and he had a genuine love of learning. 

In March of 2021, Mark’s job as grandfather compelled him to move to Austin, where he enjoyed spending more time with his children and grandchildren whom he loved “bigger than the universe.” 

He was preceded in death by his father, John R. Hall, Jr., mother, Anna Ruth Hall, and brother, Bobby Hall. Survived by his children, Ross Meador Hall (wife Sara), and Caroline Hall Nelson (husband Clay), their mother, Molly Meador Hall, grandchildren Hazel Marie, Armour Ross, and Ross Meador Jr., and brother Brad Hall. 

Services will be held on December 2nd at 3:00 pm at First United Methodist Church in Lubbock, Texas. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Texas Tech University Museum Association.