By George, He Did It!: A True Scholar's Autobiography

By George R. Hall

George takes you on a journey, accounting his challenges and accomplishments with a focus on what really matters including family, education, and positive life experiences. His story, expanding from age 5 to 75, demonstrates the resilience of the human spirit and his indom

• Language: English
• Publisher: Writers Branding LLC
• Release date: Sep 27, 2023
• ISBN: 9781639457854

Book preview

Foreword

Contrary to the mantra that we lift ourselves up by our own bootstraps, we really stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before us, which allow us to survive, persevere and be true to ourselves.

When I decided to attend college and become a teacher, both my mother and grandmother’s immediate reaction was that there wasn’t enough money. I assured them that Coach Shands vowed to help me complete several academic and athletic scholarship applications. If my grades were passing and my sports performance in basketball and track were good enough, these scholarships could be renewed at the end of my freshman year. Tuition for Ohio University in Athens, Ohio was three thousand dollars per semester. Financial aid, even with the academic and athletic scholarships, was only going to provide half that amount. Six thousand dollars for the first year was a lot of money! My family felt an emotional hardship knowing that they weren’t able to help me. Yet, I had the faith, strength and determination to believe that everything would be alright. My confidence and desire to succeed kept me focused on becoming a teacher.

My prayers were answered in June of 1955 when, in the 11th hour, a scholarship offer came from Ohio University! I was not only going to college, but I was going to a teacher’s college. During Freshman Orientation, I also received a scholarship from Wayne State University. Although both schools were recommended by Coach Shands, my decision remained with OU. I was determined to enroll in their impressive Bachelor Of Science Elementary Education Program!

Ever since then, my journey has been about overcoming obstacles, pursuing dreams and inspiring others to be productive citizens of society.

Acknowledgements

Iwould like to acknowledge and dedicate this book to the life and legacy of the following family members, friends and mentors - past and present:

To all the others, too numerous to name, I am sincerely grateful that our paths crossed on my challenging, yet tremendous journey to be SOMEBODY.

Introduction

‘By George, He Did It!’ chronicles the brave and miraculous journey that George Ralph Hall endured to become a teacher. By God’s divine appointment, you will witness how he indeed became that and so much more!

You are cordially invited to take a literary ride through some of his most memorable times. True to his style, Mr. Hall hopes to inspire, entertain and of course teach you in the process.

Perhaps there might be individuals who, like George, have been indoctrinated in the same spirit, belief and fortitude to go after their dreams.

In a book entitled, ‘Success Runs in Our Race,’ author George C. Frazier inscribed a personal message to Mr. Hall. It simply read, SUCCESS IS YOU! Mr. Hall certainly proved him right!

Family Matters

Curious George

1

My mother Blanche attended the Congress Avenue School until the eleventh grade, then she dropped out to give birth to me. I was born on January 5, 1936 in a house on Burns Street in Wyoming, Ohio. I don’t remember much about my biological father, Ralphnell Hall, because he died when I was only two. My parents had three children together – me, Barbara and Roscoe. Several years later, Blanche had James, Charles and Carlos from other relationships.

I was only nine years old when my stepfather, David Gentry was killed tragically in 1945 while driving an ammunition truck. His untimely death left a fatherly void in the home. Yet, it made my mother eligible for World War II pension and government benefits. Blanche didn’t work, but managed to care for the three of us and pay the $147.00 mortgage out of that one check! Our home, which still stands at 1022 Shepherd Lane, was purchased with a Veterans Affairs loan for $7,500.00.

We lived in the small village of Glendale until 1941, along with my grandma Maggie and grandpa Barney. This is where they collectively raised us chil’ren. Having our grandparents live with us, Blanche’s support system worked extremely well. Hence, we all got along pretty well and never allowed outsiders to witness any major family matters.

With only two years between us (I being the oldest, Barbara the middle and Roscoe the baby), you better believe our sibling rivalry was alive and well! We fought over just about everything! Regardless of our disagreements, though, a quick reprimand from Blanche, grandma Maggie or even the rather passive grandpa Barney, was all it took to get us to cease and desist!

My sister Barbara had a beautiful voice and was spoiled rotten by grandma Maggie! Roscoe and I figured it was because she was the only girl. That didn’t make us feel any better about it, but hey, we needed something!

To grandma Maggie, Barbara was a perfect little angel, with wings and the voice to go along with it! She sang for several years with the Charles Fold Gospel Choir. Talk