Roll Call Tribute

Ewen Durst Hail
January 13, 1936 - July 19, 2021

On Monday, July 19, 2021, Ewen Hail, loving husband and father, passed from this life at the age of 85. Ewen was born in Crockett, Texas, on January 13, 1936 to Bruno Ewen Hail and Virginia Lee Smith Hail.

Ewen graduated from Woodrow Wilson H.S. in Dallas. He was a geophysicist, and received his Bachelor of Science degree from Texas A&M. Ewen was a devoted and enthusiastic Aggie to the core. Around 1968 he was hired by Pan American Oil, which later became Amoco Oil. He remained with Amoco until his retirement, with positions in Houston, Tulsa and Denver.

While Ewen had a successful career, he also had many personal interests. In his youth he was named first chair trumpet in the all-city Dallas band. His former father-in-law was a horticulture professor who had a side hobby hybridizing irises. Ewen became interested, and soon began growing and displaying irises; he won many prize ribbons at shows with the Tulsa Iris Society. After leaving Tulsa he remained an active gardener. Ewen also had a great love for travel. He used trips as a means of education, as well, bringing his children and grandchildren to sites of historical or natural sciences interest along the way. He also loved outdoor activities such as skiing, scuba diving and golf, which he continued to pursue as long as his health allowed. After retirement, Ewen spent some time doing volunteer work at the university he loved like no other.

Above all else, Ewen believed in the importance of family ties. He is survived by his wife, Linda; his daughter and son from his previous marriage, Georgia Moreau (Mike), and James Hail (Joy); his daughters Melissa Derbyshire and Gina McPherson '03 (Matt); twelve grandchildren; one great grand-daughter; his sister, Martha Gray; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, sisters Bonnie Fowler and Jacqueline Pate, and nephew Charles Pate.

A memorial service for Ewen Hail will be held on Sunday, August 1, 2021 at St. John's United Methodist Church in Richmond, Texas, at 2:00 p.m., with a reception following. The graveside service will be held the following day, August 2nd, at 10:00 a.m. at Glenwood Cemetery in Crockett, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Richmond Health Care Center.

©Callaway-Allee Funeral Home