Glenn Hatcher

Glenn Hatcher 

1933-2020 

Major (ret) Glenn Hatcher, age 87, of Shalimar, FL passed away on April 29, 2020 after a courageous battle with cancer and pneumonia.  He was born to Odle and Valeria Hatcher on March 19, 1933 in Sugar Grove, KY.

He was born on a rural farm during a horrible storm and the bridge had washed out. The doctor couldn’t reach the house. A mid-wife had to deliver a very large breech baby by herself. He rode a mule halfway to his country school before they moved to Bowling Green, Ky. A hardworking teen, he ran a big city paper route using only his bicycle for deliveries.  Later as assistant circulation manager at 16 yrs. old he earned enough money to buy a Ford Coupe. He played 1st chair trumpet in high school and had a 4-piece group, (The Glenn Hatcher band) that played at many clubs. Several years later, he met his wife Pat at an Air Force dance and said immediately that’s the girl he was going to marry and Pat said the same thing about him to her Mom. He had a distinguished Air Force career of 21 years. In the service he flew F-89s and the 101-B as 2nd man radar observer. He did two tours in Alaska, the second tour in Pt. Barrow-called Top of the World. He had several patents for developing new ideas, one an extended cooling package that is still in use today. He loved to fly so much he became a commercial instructor pilot with full instrument rating at Eglin Aero Club and gave rides on Saturdays.  After retiring in Panama City, he became a Program Manager with Civil Service for 20 years at Eglin AFB.  In his later years he devoted himself to managing his rental properties.   With his wife, they raised 4 successful children while he attended night school to finish his BA. He built his own stereo cabinet excelling in wood working skills.

The family enjoyed water skiing every weekend for over 7 years. He loved to slalom ski and often said there wasn’t a person he couldn’t teach how to ski. An avid snow skier as well until age 82, the entire family enjoyed skiing with him for over 40 years.

He was a faithful member of Ft. Walton Beach Church of Christ serving over 50 years. He established a nursing home ministry for 30 years, was a song leader, and did the sound system among other things.                          

He is survived by his beloved wife, Patricia Hatcher, daughters Sharon (Ned), Donna (Chuck), Glenda (Carter), Michael (Carmen) and 6 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Doris and Gwendolyn, brother Wendell, and grandson Matthew.  

A memorial service will be held at a future date and will be updated on this site.

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