Justin T Hall, 50, of Los Alamos, New Mexico, died Saturday, December 27, 2025. He was born at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Billings, Montana, on June 21, 1975, to Dewy Steven Hall and Sandra Lea Cotton.
Justin was a gifted scientist, educator, and researcher with a lifelong interest in the natural world. As a child, his fascination with dinosaurs was evident early on, even leading him to point out inaccuracies in television programs and museum exhibits while still in elementary school.
Justin was also a gifted athlete and musician. Throughout his middle school and high school years, he competed in swimming with selective club teams. At Stephen F. Austin High School, he swam on the school team and ran cross country. In both sports, he achieved numerous personal bests and record-setting performances across meets and events. A talented singer with a vocal range from bass III to tenor, Justin participated in choir and led his high school choir to multiple competition victories through his leadership and exceptional sight-reading ability.
He earned undergraduate degrees in geology and anthropology from the University of Texas at Austin, a master’s degree in geology from Washington University in St. Louis, and a master’s degree in anatomy from Stony Brook University. Justin was a PhD candidate at the University of Southern California and was widely regarded as a rising scholar in paleontology. His doctoral work was tragically interrupted by a house fire that caused serious injuries and altered the course of his life.
Justin was an avid college football fan and a devoted supporter of the Texas Longhorns. While studying at the University of Texas at Austin, he became a proud member of the Delta Upsilon fraternity, where he formed lifelong friendships.
Justin devoted his professional life to teaching and discovery. He taught geology at Washington University in St. Louis and later taught anatomy to medical and dental students at Stony Brook University and the University of Southern California. He received numerous teaching awards for his ability to engage and inspire students. His field research in paleontology led to the identification of the site of one of the largest sauropods discovered on the North American continent. He and his colleagues also developed a groundbreaking theory on Microraptor and the role of feathers in flight, contributing to important advances in the understanding of early avian evolution. His work was featured in national media outlets, including National Geographic. Justin shared his passion for science with the public through the design of museum displays, including work with the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, creating interactive dinosaur exhibits to make science accessible and engaging for all ages.
Justin is survived by his mother, Sandra L. Cotton of Phoenix, Arizona; sister, Felicia E. Hall of Phoenix, Arizona; niece, Cassidy A. Cotton of Phoenix, Arizona; nephew, Lincoln T. Trembath of Phoenix, Arizona; uncles, C. John Cotton (Leslie) of Gillette, Wyoming; Timothy C. Cotton (Michelle) of Glenrock, Wyoming; Curtis D. Cotton (Chris) of Bridger, Montana; Benjamin R. Cotton (Jodi) of Bigfork, Montana; Michael Hall of Helena, Montana; and Alan Hall (Tonya) of Cleveland, Oklahoma; and numerous cousins. He was preceded in death by his father, Dewey S. Hall, his grandparents, Chester D. “Duane” Cotton and Marian V. (Barber Cotton) Lower, and Loren L. Hall and Shirley M. (Porter) Hall, and his uncles, L. Dale Hall and wife Sophie, Larry L. Hall and wife Jane, and Harold “Pete” L. Hall and wife Linda.
If you are unable to attend the service, please click on the link below.
https://boxcast.tv/view/justin-hall-celebration-of-life-hyvrvhe8xk1olqqhybyz
A Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, January 31, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Kane Funeral Home, 689 Meridian St, Sheridan, Wyoming. There will be a luncheon to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Justin’s honor to an animal welfare organization or the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology.