Hal F. Felty, Jr.
Posted By Lake Shore Funeral Home On July 13, 2021 @ 4:13 pm In Obituaries | 24 Comments
Hal Frank Felty, Jr., 80, passed away peacefully in Waco, Texas on Monday, July 12, 2021.
Service Information: Visitation will be held from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., Friday, July 16, at Lake Shore Funeral Home. Funeral service will be held 2:00 p.m., Saturday, July 17, at Lake Shore Funeral Home. Burial will take place 2:00 p.m., Monday, July 19, at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen.
Hal was born on June 21, 1941, in Commerce, Texas to Sara Buchanan and Hal F. Felty, Sr. His younger brothers, Billy P. Felty and James N. Felty, still reside in Texas. He married Donna Sharp in January 1966, at First Christian Church, Lufkin and they had two children, Amy and Alan. Hal was an Eagle Scout and proudly served his country in both the U.S. Navy (1961 – 1963) and U.S. Army (1967 – 1971). He also retired with 20 years’ service in the Texas Army National Guard. A few of his service awards included: National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart.
Hal attended Baylor University and was a charter member of Kappa Omega Tau. While at Stephen F. Austin University, he was a member of Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity, where he completed a bachelor’s degree in Sociology. He enlisted in the Army, attended Officer Candidate School (OCS) and served in Vietnam, receiving a Purple Heart and Bronze Star. In 1971, he returned to civilian life and went to work for the Texas Prison System and moved to Odessa in 1974 as a State Pardon and Parole Officer.
The next eight years were spent in Odessa, at which time he completed his master’s degree at the University of Texas Permian Basin. This led to his next job and an opportunity to move closer to family. He began employment in 1983 with the Federal Probation office in Waco. He also served as an active board member at Heart of Texas Federal Credit Union in Waco, with 30 years of service from 1984 – 2014. In 1998 he retired with 23 years of government service, but Hal was not ready for the rocking chair. About a year after his first retirement, he accepted a position with Hill College in Hillsboro as an adjunct faculty member in the Criminal Justice program, then promoted to a full-time faculty position with Hill College in Cleburne. He also served as the Department Chair and teaching courses for the Texas Peace Officer certification. He completed 10 years of service as a faculty member and had a lasting impact on many students. Hal came from a long line of educators on both sides of his family and found teaching to be very fulfilling.
Hal was an avid reader and student of the Bible. As a faithful Christian, he would dutifully prepare his lessons on Saturday evening to share on Sunday morning to the adults in Sunday School. He proudly served many years as a Deacon at Bethany Christian in Odessa, as well as Elder and Board member at Lakewood Christian in Waco. He also enjoyed the challenge of completing the crossword puzzle every day, in any newspaper. Until his health declined in the fall of 2016, he enjoyed being an outdoorsman, camping, hunting, fishing, and spending hours outside, never bothered by that hot, Texas heat. He also loved his football, particularly college football. As a season ticket holder following his Baylor Bears, he never missed a game. But if he could not be at Floyd Casey Stadium, you’d be sure to find him wearing a radio headset and following every play.
Hal is survived by his wife of 55 years, Donna; brothers, Billy (Cathy) Felty and James (Peggy) Felty; children, Teresa Robertson of AZ, Amy (George) Griffin of Spring, TX and Alan (Connie) Felty of Belleville, AR; and four grandchildren, Zachary Felty, Alex Felty, David Griffin and Brandon Griffin.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory to: Richfield Christian Church (254.772.2340), Baylor School of Education Scholarship (254.710.2561) or Hill College Scholarship Fund (254.659.7504).
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Condolences for the family of “Hal F. Felty, Jr.”
Thank you Ben for your kind words of encouragement,
Donna, Phil and I both have so many wonderful meteorites of working with Hal over the years. Our prayers are with your family.
Blessings, La Donna & Phil Reyna
Thank you so much, Hal admired and respected both of you. I know he could be a hard task master, but he just wanted things done right.
Dear Peggy, You are often in my thoughts. Now, you and the family are in my prayers and those of so many. Please know the support and love you can rely on now and always.
Thank you Drew. Hal was a wonderful instructor at Hill and many of his students learned so much from him. He shared many days with you since you were on the same campus. Every time I walk by his office I remember his office was filled with books and papers. Hal was a good man with a big heart. I appreciate your kindness and thoughtfulness.
Thank you for your kind words.
I am so sorry to hear about Hal passing. I enjoyed working with him at Hill College. I am sorry for your loss and will be praying the family
Lori, thank you for your kind words. Hal truly loved working at Hill College. The students brought him such joy.
Donna, I was so saddened hearing about Hal. He was a great partner during our work at US Problem. I always enjoyed him fishing with us in Lorena. My kids have very fond memories of him. I hate I lost contact with him sometime ago. I pray the Lord will comfort you and your family. Hal was a great man and friend. I know he is in a great and peaceful place.
Bert, thank you for your kind words. Yes, he truly enjoyed working in the Waco office and the times with the children were fun times for him . I apologize because I could not find a way to contact you directly, and I wasn’t sure if you still lived in the area. Yes, he is now at truly at peace.
My condolences Donna to you and your family. My prayers are with you. Hal was a special person and I am sure he is now looking on us and smiling. He is home.
Thank you Rick for your prayers and kind words. Yes, he is now at home in heaven.
Donna, may the Lord comfort you and the family at this time.
Thank you so much for your kind words.
As I criminal defense attorney I worked numerous cases with Hal. He was a man with Integrity, Professionalism, Fair minded with a sense of humor. I missed him when he retired, He was a good man
Mr Goble, thank you for describing Hal so accurately. He would be pleased to know that he was missed when he retired.
Donna,
We will miss Hal very much; he was a great friend and we had many good times at the Baylor games! I know He loved watching Trav play ball and nicknamed him “Opie.” I am so sad and please accept our deepest condolences. It was a true blessing that I got to know him when we met at Hill College. He taught me a lot. I am comforted knowing that I will get to see him again one day! Donna, You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Jason, Kim, Ayden, and Travis Abbott
Jason, Hal loved your times together. He valued your friendship and enjoyed getting to know your family. Working at Hill College was challenging, but at the same time, was very rewarding and he really enjoyed his students. Baylor games were the best! You, Hal and Travis were enthusiastic fans and that was special to each of you. Hal would be so pleased to see the fine young man that Travis has become. Thank you for your prayers and concerns at this time. Hal is at peace and is at his Heavenly home.
I worked 7 years with Hal before his retirement, and the knowledge I gained was invaluable, particularly, working under strict time limits at the Fort Hood office with Hal. He was a true multitasker, and a true professional.
Grace & peace to the family, at this difficult time, and I pray God’s blessings & a servants rest for Hal.
Tim, thank you for your kind words. Hal thought alot of you and enjoyed getting to know your family. It was such a please to see you today and share some memories of your time spent working with Hal. I know he is resting peacefully, and God’s grace will comfort us.
I’m so sorry for your loss, Donna and family. One of my favorite memories of Hal was from a Christmas pageant in the old sanctuary at Lakewood Christian Church. Hal was one of the Three Kings. He came down the aisle with his glasses and crown on and seemed to be enjoying himself. 😊
Oh Linda what a humorous memory, I had forgotten that incident until you reminded me. Thank you for your condolences, and for giving me another sweet memory to hold in my heart.
Mr. Felty was a great instructor! I had the pleasure of being one of his student at Hill in the criminal justice program. Sorry for your loss he was a good man.
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Donna,I was so sorry to hear about Hal. Bless you and the family at this time. Take comfort in knowing he has been welcomed home by our LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST.