Joyce Clyde Hall (August 29, 1891 – October 29, 1982), better known as J. C. Hall, was an American businessman and the founder of Hallmark Cards.
Early life
Joyce Clyde Hall was born on August 29, 1891, in David City, Nebraska, to Nancy "Nannie" Dudley (née Houston) and George Nelson Hall, a traveling Methodist minister. He was their third son. Hall was named after Methodist bishop Isaac W. Joyce. In 1901, his mother filed for divorce and was granted custody of Hall and his siblings. Hall conceived the Norfolk Post Card Company in 1907 in Norfolk, Nebraska.
Hall, who objected to the name Joyce and typically went by "J.C.", retired in 1966 and spent his retirement in efforts to revitalize the Kansas City downtown area. One of the results was Crown Center, a combination business/shopping district surrounding the Hallmark corporate headquarters. After his retirement, his son Donald J. Hall succeeded him as chief executive. He was buried at Forest Hill Calvary Cemetery in Kansas City.
Awards and legacy
Hall received an honorary diploma from David City High School in 1962.