George Edwin Hiatt

Retired Commander George E. Hiatt was born on June 14, 1925 in Lynn, Indiana. While in school there he played on the basketball and baseball teams. He quit school during his 12th year to join the Navy. The law at the time allowed seniors to quit school and enter military service and receive credit for graduation. He placed second in his graduation class of 1943.

After joining the Navy, he was chosen to go to UCLA. While there he played on the varsity baseball team as a third baseman. He received his BAS degree in Meteorology. After graduating from UCLA, George played professional baseball for the New York Yankees farm club for several weeks until being stationed in the Pacific during WWII. After the war, the Navy sent him to Purdue University where he received his degree in Physical Education in 1949.

With degree in hand, George became a math teacher at Stoney Creek High School in Indiana. One of the highlights of his life was serving as the school's baseball and basketball coach. Under his coaching, the much smaller Stoney Creek school beat its big school rivals and became the 1951-1952 champions. Even 50 years later, he was fondly remembered by his former students and was a favorite speaker at class reunions.

In March 1952, George was recalled to active duty to serve in the Korean War. He remained in the Navy serving at two Fleet Weather Centrals and several NASs including Philadelphia, Chicago, Dallas, and Memphis. Along with his meteorological duties, he was coach to the Guam Navy basketball team. Due to his golfing prowess, he also was often called upon to golf with the Admiral and visiting dignitaries. He retired from the Navy in November 1968 with the rank of Commander.

George then moved to Arlington, TX and began teaching math at Sam Houston High School. During his time there, he was voted teacher of the year and became the head of the math department before retiring from teaching in 1981. He then briefly became a successful realtor before purchasing an RV and traveling extensively over the US, Canada, and Mexico. In 1998, George moved to the Villas on the Bluff complex in Ft. Worth, TX. There he enjoyed many good times with friends until moving to an assisted living facility in 2014.

George passed away on March 11, 2020 at Atria's Grapevine Life Guidance unit. He is survived by his daughter and her husband, Lester and Pamela Fraser of Grand Prairie, TX, and his grandson, Matthew Fraser, and granddaughter, Abigail Fraser; his step-daughter, Donna Senecal; granddaughter and her husband, Larry and Tiffani Troy of Conroe, TX along with their children Rebekah and Caleb; granddaughter Amy Senecal of Angelton, TX and her children, Keaton and Saige; his sister, Susie Haney of Lynn, IN; his niece and her husband, Jerry and Tina Guilde of Lynn, IN.

George was a man of integrity and hard work. He met all of life's challenges with a smile on his face. He did not believe in complaining and tackled all obstacles with confidence and determination. He loved the Lord and his family. He never turned his back on a person in need and gave generously even to virtual strangers. His sense of humor and his laughter will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

A committal service will be held on Monday, March 23, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. at Moore Memorial Gardens in Arlington, TX.