Former Copperas Cove mayor, Coryell County judge laid to rest

By LYNETTE SOWELL 

Cove Leader-Press 

Known as John A. Hull, Mayor Hull, or simply “Judge”, the former mayor of Copperas Cove was remembered and laid to rest on Wednesday. 

Hull passed away on Oct. 17 at the age of 91. 

Hull’s family, friends, and the local community filled the pews at Grace United Methodist Church to remember and celebrate the man who spent multiple decades in service to the city and region. 

The service was led by Pastor Brad Slaten, and speakers included representatives of the City of Copperas Cove, to include Mayor Dan Yancey, Public Relations Director Kevin Keller, Chief of Police Eddie Wilson, and Fire Chief Gary Young. Also speaking were CCISD board of trustees president Joan Manning and Copperas Cove Chamber of Commerce board chair Nancy Nelson. Coryell County Judge Roger Miller rounded out the remarks. 

In his comments to the Leader-Press, Yancey said, “Mayor Hull had a special heart for all things Copperas Cove as evidenced by the many tasks he did for our city. He never did anything for the attention. In fact, far from it. He did those things because they needed to get done and done well by a confident yet humble man.

“As Mayor of Copperas Cove, he helped navigate challenges both internal and external to our city with grace yet firmness that pushed our city to greater success. Copperas Cove is a better place to live in because of the hard work performed by Mayor Hull benefiting many generations to come.”

During his remarks on Wednesday morning, Yancey talked about Hull “growing up with the tremendous burden of being disabled from polio, yet watching him on a golf course using a crutch in one arm and his golf club with the other arm, and knocking the snot out of the ball better than 90 percent of the golfers on the course. A major disability for many people was an annoyance for him that was overcome.”

Joan Manning shared memories of Hull and his wife, Shirley, from the times they took photos when she was a student at Fairview Elementary School.

“He always had a reputation for helping our students and teachers in any way possible. He was very encouraging to me when I became a school board member as a young mother of three in the mid 1990s. Every time he saw me, he would smile like he always did, and say, ‘How’s the school business going?’ And he’d give me a tip or two if I needed, and I usually did, and we’d have a nice conversation about school.”

Chamber of Commerce board chair Nancy Nelson said that Hull’s and hard work led to many successful initiatives that still benefit our children and our community today. 

“He was always there to give guidance, share his expertise and advocate for the prosperity of others.”

Fire Chief Gary Young said that although Hull may no longer walk among us, his spirit will live on in the lives he’s touched and the community he helped us build and in our hearts.

“Thank you, John, for unwavering dedication, for showing us the true meaning of community. You will be dearly missed, but your life will continue to shine all of us. Once a firefighter, always a firefighter.”

Chief of Police Eddie Wilson brought a light, yet still serious touch with his remarks, that when he first began with the Copperas Cove Police Department, Hull was the age Wilson is now. He also said that with Hull’s passing, it was reaching the end of an era. 

“John was the guy who showed up when others were in need, and instead of complaining and expecting everyone else to solve the problem, John instead get his name on the ballot, personally continuing to contribute to the solution, no questions asked, no complaining, no blaming and needing nothing in return, because that’s what great leaders do. 

“He didn’t do it for the likes or shares. He didn’t do it because he owed anyone. He didn’t do it because of politics. He did it because he loved all of you.”

Wilson said the community should honor Hull by carrying on his legacy of selflessness. 

“Stop sitting back and complaining about everything that’s going wrong and do something about it. With every challenge John faced in his life, He was never a victim. Stop talking about how much you care and start acting like you care. John didn’t have to talk about it, because we all saw it. Don’t let John’s perseverance be for nothing.” 

Kevin Keller spoke to getting to know the Hulls better, when talking with Hull in 2015 about the proclamation to name the new fire station after him.

“During that meeting, I asked Mayor Hull specifically, what his greatest accomplishments were, and he simply stated, ‘Raising successful children and serving the people of the community to try and make a difference in people’s lives.’ For me, I will miss knocking on the front door and waiting for him to yell, ‘Come in.’ I’ll miss those visits just spending time with him in the house, and he would always ask me, ‘So what’s going on at the City?”…I would begin to give him a few updates, but he already knew…even in retirement he remained engaged, for the love of his City.”

Keller thanked Shirley and the family for “sharing this amazing man with all of us. We stand by your side in the coming days, weeks and months and years, I can only imagine the sacrifices that each of you have made along the way. He was a truly remarkable gentleman, and we are better to have known him.”

Coryell County Judge Roger Miller thanked Shirley, saying the county and region owe her a debt of gratitude.

“Judge Hull was a product of the greatest generation, and he learned early on in his life the trials and tribulations, both affecting his physical health and displacement of his family, the creation of Camp Hood, then Fort Hood and now Fort Cavazos…He was born with a servant’s heart. He served our loving and forgiving God throughout his life…We are truly indebted as the citizens of Copperas Cove and Coryell County.”

Hull and his family moved to Copperas Cove when the Hulls sold their property near the town formerly known as Antelope, to make way for Camp Hood. 

When Hull was two years old, he became ill with polio. As a result, he lost the use of his legs. In a 2011 interview with the Leader-Press, Hull talked about what it was like for him growing up with that challenge. 

“My parents didn’t treat me any differently. I still grew up and had chores to do, just like my brothers and sisters did. I was expected to work the land. I learned how to change flats, everything. I’m proud of how my parents raised me,” Hull said at that time. 

An alum of the CCHS class of 1950, he went to business school in Dallas but returned home to Copperas Cove where he pursued his passion of photography. Pursuing that passion led him to Fort Hood, and he met Shirley, another photographer. They married in 1952 and their union would last 72 years. The couple raised three children and ran a photography studio together for more than 40 years. 

Another passion of Hull’s was public service, and he served the community for decades. 

Starting in the 1950’s and 1960’s, he served as a volunteer firefighter in Copperas Cove.

Hull served as a CCISD trustee for more than 20 years, served one term as councilman, then served as mayor of Copperas Cove from 2008-2015. 

Likewise, Hull served Coryell County, first as a county commissioner from 1983-1991, and then as Coryell County Judge from 1991-2003. 

A 2016 proclamation by the Copperas Cove city council declared that the newly constructed Fire Station No. 2 would be named the John A. Hull fire station. He was also one of the first named to the Copperas Cove Education Foundation’s Hall of Honor, which recognizes alumni annually. 

Hull was a champion of progress in Copperas Cove, as well as growth. 

In that same 2011 interview with the Leader-Press, Hull quoted his mother’s saying about the “good old days.” 

“My mother always used to say, ‘I remember the good old days, and I’ve had all the good old days I want.’”