Staff Report
Laurel Franklin Hall, 88, a Driftwood native whose life was shaped by family, community and a love of the outdoors, passed away on September 19, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.
Laurel's roots in Driftwood ran deep. His parents owned and operated the Driftwood Store, and his father served as the community's postmaster. Laurel attended first grade at the Driftwood School and graduated from Buda High School in 1956. Following graduation, he proudly served in the Texas Army National Guard.
Laurel's working years reflected his dedication to people and community. He worked for Southern Union Gas Company in Austin and spent four years with the company in Galveston before beginning his banking career at Austin National Bank's Oak Hill Branch. It was there that he met Lynette "Lynn" Lewis, who would become his beloved wife of 48 years. He later joined Dripping Springs National Bank. After retiring from banking, Laurel took an administrative position with the Hays County Sheriff's Office and went on to serve as the county's first Animal Control Officer. The role suited him well, and by the time he retired after 17 years with the Sheriff's Office, he had formed many lifelong friendships.
Laurel found his greatest pleasures in time spent with family and friends. He looked forward to gathering at the Camp Ben McCulloch Reunion each year and treasured family trips to the coast, where watching his grandchildren catch fish of any size brought him joy. He always encouraged a good fish tale, too. Trips to casinos in Oklahoma and Louisiana were another favorite pastime, especially with his favorite driver and bodyguard along for the ride.
At home, Laurel enjoyed ranching and gardening on his family's land along Onion Creek. A lifelong outdoorsman, he also loved hunting in Colorado, offshore fishing in the Gulf and working alongside family and friends on the nearby deer lease. Those adventures provided an endless supply of stories, which he shared with humor and warmth, leaving those who knew him with memories to treasure.
Laurel is survived by his wife, Lynn Hall; daughters, Michelle Kowalski of Dripping Springs and Katie Partain and her husband, Cody, of Driftwood; grandchildren, Megan Kowalski, Paige Kowalski, Kaitlyn Partain and Cooper Partain; brother, Larry Hall; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins and other beloved family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, L. F. Hall; mother, Louella Hall Mayes; Joel Mayes; sister, Argie Lou Hall; niece, Kim Straub; and mother-in-law, Remon "Ray" Lewis.
Laurel will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend whose life was deeply woven into the fabric of Driftwood. He cherished his family, served his community with quiet dedication and found joy in the land he called home. His warmth, humor and countless stories brought people together, and his legacy will live on in the family he loved, the community he served and the wide-open places that gave him such happiness.
Visitation will be held at Harrell Funeral Home in Kyle on Friday, September 25, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held at Driftwood Community Church on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., with a graveside service immediately following at Driftwood Cemetery. Following the services, family and friends are invited to gather for a reception at Pecan Grove (Salt Lick Pavilion), 18500 RM 1826 in Driftwood.
