Alton Carlyle Hall, Jr, "A.C."

Alton Carlyle Hall, Jr, "A.C.", 97, of Pine Knoll Shores, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, at his home. Planning Director for the City of Raleigh from 1956-1980, and architect, owner, and operator of the Atlantis Lodge in Pine Knoll Shores since 1963.

Born January 26, 1927, to Ruth Badger Hall & Alton Carlyle Hall, Sr. in Raleigh, NC. A.C. graduated from Broughton High School (Class of '44), Wake Forest (B.S. Biology, '49), NC State School of Design (Architecture, '52), and UNC Chapel Hill (Master's City & Regional Planning, '55).

A.C. was Planning Director for the City of Raleigh for 25 formative years, and was known to be a thoughtful and expert planner as well as an environmental advocate. A resolute tree-hugger before it was cool, A.C. was a vocal proponent of the Capital Area Greenway System and was instrumental in Raleigh's Capital Improvement Plan of 1968 that christened Raleigh "the park with a city in it." Thanks in no small part to A.C.'s critical planning choices and hard work for the city he grew up in and loved, Raleigh can still proudly be called "The City of Oaks."

While planning Raleigh's growth, A.C. also designed, built, and opened the oceanfront Atlantis Lodge in 1963 with Dot's mother, Ruth Bray ("Mabee"). After Mabee's retirement in 1980, A.C. and Dot operated the Lodge until 2014, and the Atlantis remains owned and operated by the Hall family today.

An award-winning designer and architect of the Pine Knoll Shores, NC subdivision from 1965-1981, A.C. has been instrumental in many eastern NC initiatives-from the room occupancy and tourism development tax in 1987, to the Bogue Banks Beach Preservation (Renourishment) Plan in 1999. The East Carolina Council Boys Scouts awarded A.C. "Citizen of the Year" in 1996, and the mayor of Pine Knoll Shores, Joan Lamson ('03-'09) declared August 14, 2007, "A.C. Hall Day."

A.C. has always been vocal about the environment, arts, and education, becoming a major supporter of the Beaufort Historical Society, Habitat for Humanity, NC Aquariums, NC Symphony, Mile of Hope Foundation, Carteret Health Care, Hospice of Carteret County, Arts Council, Boys and Girls Club, and Carteret Community College. A.C. served as the Chairman of Outer Banks Wildlife Shelter Board of Directors for 15 years. He sang with the Carteret Chorale for many years, and acted in several productions of the Carteret Community Theater and the Paper Rain Players.

A.C. has served on the boards of multiple organizations: Carteret Community College Foundation (1994-2003, retired as "Director Emeritus"); Friends of Fort Macon; NC Retired Governmental Employees Association, Eastern NC; Crystal Coast Hotel/Motel Association; Crystal Coast Golf and Recreation Association; NC Hotel & Motel Association; American Hotel & Motel Association (Executive Committee); and the NC Travel Council.

A.C. has served as President of the North Carolina Symphony, Local Chapter; Bogue Banks Lions Club; Crystal Coast Hospitality Association; NC Hotel & Motel Association; Southern Innkeepers; NC Coast Host—Chairman of the NC State Championship Horse Show (1964-65)—and Vice-President of the Carteret County Chamber of Commerce.

A.C. shared over 61 years of his brilliant life with another beautiful person, Dorothy Bray Hall (Dot), who was taken too soon from us all in 2013. They were inseparable here on Earth, and we have no doubt that the joy of their reunion will be felt by us all.

A wonderful husband, father, friend, pops, brother, uncle, grandfather, and great-grandfather, A.C. is survived by his daughter, Donna; sons and their spouses-Rick and Vida, Barry and Kaye, Tod and Gorm; five grandchildren and their spouses-Kellie and Micah; Lauren and Daniel; Zach; Luke and Kathryn; and Mathew and Abby; and eight great-grandchildren-Zoe, Lois, Rahab, Addie, Eva, Caroline, Anna Claire (AC), and Sadie. And of course, there's Bingo (AKA "Bing-Bing" or "Scruffy"), the most remarkable dog that ever lived, and Dad's "sweet companion" these past 11 years.

The Hall Family would like to extend a special thanks to Home Helpers of the Crystal Coast and 3HC Home Hospice, who have stood right beside us, caring for our Dad, and allowed us to honor our promise to him to remain in his home at the Atlantis Lodge. We could not have done this without you, and we greatly appreciate all you have done to help us make sure Dad was happy, comfortable, and safe.

To the incredible staff at the Atlantis - thank you for always being there, and for keeping Dad's beautiful dream alive and thriving.

The world has had the honor of this remarkable man's presence for over 97 years, and we have had the added honor of calling him our dad, our Pops, for all of our lives with him. He will forever remain to us the most loving, generous, and kindhearted man we've ever known.

There will be a memorial service at 1 p.m., on Saturday, April 13, 2024, in the Hayes Barton Baptist Church main sanctuary -1800 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27608. 

In lieu of flowers, and for those who wish to pay their respects in eastern NC, donations can be made to the Outer Banks Wildlife Shelter, outerbankswildlifeshelter.com, 252-240-1200.

Family and friends are welcome to submit online condolences at www.mundenfuneralhome.net.

Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home & Crematory in Morehead City, NC.