Russell Timothy Hatcher

If there was ever a life that testified to the risen Christ, it was Tim Hatcher’s. From his first school bus ride—where he defended his Rainbow Bible—to his final breath, Tim’s heartbeat was Jesus. Tim didn’t just believe in the resurrection; he lived in its power, knowing that because Jesus lives, we too shall live.

Tim’s journey began on a farm near Memphis, Tennessee, where the beauty of creation stirred his soul toward the Creator. As a boy, he imagined himself as King Arthur with Excalibur or Alexander the Great astride Bucephalus—yet even in those childhood adventures, the true King was never far from his mind.

Gifted with an eidetic memory and a wordsmith’s flair, Tim delighted in language, philosophy, and the art of expression. Whether crafting puns, writing poetry, or lecturing at LSU, his aim was singular: to point hearts toward Jesus. His ministry spanned denominations, serving as co-founder and associate pastor of Victory Fellowship Church, a Bible teacher in Presbyterian circles, and a Pentecostal pastor. His vocation as a therapist for Body, Mind & Spirit reflected his holistic view of God’s design for humanity.

Tim loved deeply. He is survived by his wife, Rose Young Hatcher; his daughters, Janece Zipporah Hatcher Collins and Rachel Elisabeth; and his granddaughter, Sophia Rhiannon Collins. He is also remembered by Kathryn Hatcher, previous wife and dear friend, his four stepchildren, and sixteen grandchildren. A master of the classical guitar, Tim found God in the harmony of music and the fellowship of believers.

As Paul wrote, “To live is Christ, and to die is gain.” For Tim Hatcher, that gain is now reality. He has stepped from faith into sight, embraced by the everlasting arms he trusted all his life.

A visitation will be held on January 21, 2026, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at the First Presbyterian Church, located at 763 North Blvd, Baton Rouge, LA, 70802.

The funeral service will follow at 11:00 am at the same location.

Interment will take place on January 21, 2026, at Greenoaks Memorial Park, 9595 Florida Blvd, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 70815.