James Alva Hallum, Jr., 83, passed away Saturday, April 8, 2017. Services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday, April 13, 2017, at the Union Presbyterian Church in Brownwood, with the Rev. Doug House officiating. A family burial service will take place at Eastlawn Memorial Park at 9 Thursday morning. Arrangements are under the direction of Blaylock Funeral Home.

James Alva Hallum, Jr., was born December 8, 1933, in Brownwood to Florence Gray Hallum and James Alva Hallum Sr. He graduated from Brownwood High School and Howard Payne University. After graduating from college, he entered the Navy and spent two years active duty at the Millington Naval Air Base at Millington, Tennessee, located north of Memphis. At the Naval Air Technical Training Center, he was a Division officer and defense counsel for special court martial cases. After finishing his tour of duty, he returned to Brownwood and was appointed the Commanding Officer of the Naval Reserve Electronics Facility located on the Howard Payne campus.

Before entering active duty in the Navy, he was married to Norita White on September 9, 1954. They were married 62 years.

He is survived by his wife, Norita; a daughter, Melinda Suzanne Oliver and husband, Wiley, of Waco; a son, James White Hallum of Salt Lake City; a granddaughter, Kathryn Elizabeth Oliver of Dallas; three brothers, Robert Hallum and wife Lynda, Richard Hallum and wife Sarah, and Glenn Hallum and wife Cheryl; and many nieces and nephews.

He was a member of the Union Presbyterian Church for 56 years. He served on many of the church’s committees and was an elder. He and his wife were sponsors of youth groups. While serving his tour of duty in the Navy, he became the Superintendent of the non-denominational Sunday school for children. It was one of the things in his life he found most meaningful.

After returning to Brownwood from his tour of duty with the Navy, he joined his father-in-law, Sam White, in starting one of the first wholesale floral delivery systems in Central Texas. He and his wife, Norita, later owned and operated Hallum Floral and Gifts. He served two terms as president of the West Texas-New Mexico Floral Association. He and his wife became interested in African Violets and grew many different varieties. They became members of the African Violet Society of America and traveled many place in the U.S. giving programs and sharing their love of African violets.

He taught square dancing lessons for many years. He loved people and sharing with them this fun activity and a way to exercise.

He served on the City of Brownwood’s Civil Service Commission before he and his wife moved their home outside of the city limits.

He was an avid hunter with his brothers and friends and enjoyed great hunts with J.Y. Hamilton Hunt Club at Big Bend Ranch. He also enjoyed hunting in Colorado for many years.

He always came home with an awareness of God’s greatness and the beautiful world He created.

The family wishes to express their thanks and gratitude to all those who took such good care of him.

Memorials may be made to Union Presbyterian Church, 700 Fisk, Brownwood, or Cross Classical Academy, 700 Fisk, Brownwood, Texas 76801.