Natchez lost a beloved physician and community member on Wednesday, when Dr. David G. Hall died at St. Dominic Medical Center in Jackson. He was 41.

He is survived by his wife, Christina; their three children, Holly, Matthew and Emily; and by his parents, Joyce and Bobby Hall of Natchez.

Dr. Hall had practiced at Family Medical Center in Natchez since 1988, joining the practice of Dr. Jerry Iles soon after he came back to his hometown.

&uot;He was more like my son, like a family member than like a medical partner,&uot; Iles said, expressing deep sadness at the loss of his friend. &uot;He was an excellent doctor. We practiced together for more than 10 years.&uot;

Another fellow physician recalled the dedication Dr. Hall had to his hometown.

&uot;I thought the world of him,&uot; said Dr. William Godfrey. &uot;He was a fine person and a fine physician. And he had such a good community spirit, active in so many things. I am really just heartbroken over it.&uot;

A Natchez native, Dr. Hall was a graduate of South Natchez High School, Millsaps College and the University of Mississippi School of Medicine.

He was a member of the Mississippi Foundation for Medical Care, serving on its board of directors and as its treasurer.

Active in the Mississippi Medical Association, he served on both the judicial and legislative councils for the organization. He served as a state delegate from Mississippi to the American Academy of Family Physicians and also was a member of the academy’s Commission on Membership and Member Services.

Dr. Hall and his family were members of Jefferson Street United Methodist Church, where the Rev. James &uot;Pete&uot; Herndon, pastor, continues a long-time relationship with the Hall family that began when Herndon was pastor at Grace United Methodist Church.

&uot;I’ve known the family for 15 years, and they are one of the finest families in this town,&uot; Herndon said.

&uot;And I was one of David’s first patients when he came back to Natchez to practice. He was a wonderful doctor. I don’t know anyone who gave more to his patients than David did.&uot;

Adams County Youth Court Judge John Hudson also has known the family through the years through church activities.

However, he became friends with Dr. Hall through a mutual love of the University of Mississippi.

&uot;He was such a blessing, so full of life and enthusiasm,&uot; Hudson said. &uot;It was a joy to watch the interaction between David and his son when they were at Ole Miss ballgames.

&uot;And he was the kind of person a friend just enjoyed being around. He made the world a better place and your life a better life.&uot;

Tentative plans are for the funeral service to be held on Saturday morning at Jefferson Street church. A complete obituary with further information will be published on Friday.