Thomas Y. Hatcher

August 29, 1940 – August 21, 2013

Thomas Yancey Hatcher, of Earlysville, Virginia, passed away on August 21, 2013, unexpectedly while on vacation in Texas – eight days prior to his 73rd birthday. Born on August 29, 1940 in Kingsport, Tennessee, son of the late Juliet Lay Hatcher and Samuel Edward Hatcher, Thomas was preceded in death by his parents and siblings: Billie Jane Hatcher, Claire Virginia Hatcher, Edward Eugene Hatcher, and John William Hatcher.

Thomas graduated from Dobyns-Bennett High School (Kingsport, TN) in 1958, where he played basketball. He attended East Tennessee State for one year before transferring to the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. A successful electrical engineer, Thomas had a long and storied career, beginning in the 1960s at the Kingsport-Press. In 1972 he accepted a job with the Houston Chronicle and spent the next 15 years in Texas. As Director of Technical Services for the Chronicle, he created an engineering department that was second to none in the industry. Leaving the Chronicle in 1987 for Philadelphia Newspapers, Inc., Tom directed the Technical Services department for the Inquirer and Daily News. In 1990 he was hired by the Los Angeles Times to oversee the remodeling and installation of equipment at both the Olympic and Orange County facilities. From 1991 to 1998, Tom was with The Seattle Times where he proudly oversaw the final construction, infrastructure installation, and start-up of the Bothell, WA newspaper facility, then continued as Assistant Plant Director. In May of 1998, he accepted the position of Vice President and Senior Asset Director for Citibank (Nevada) N.A., located at The Lakes (Las Vegas, NV). There he managed the facility and operations for Citibank’s Credit Card / Technology Center Campus, and Command Center/Data Processing Site. In the mid-2000s, he worked as an independent consultant in facilities management. Tom loved and was loved by his co-workers and employees. Once told by a 62-year old employee, “You are the first boss I’ve ever had who actually knows and understands what I do.” Tom and his wife, Caroll, were blessed with the opportunity to travel all over the country, living in some very unique places, and cultivating life-long friendships. In 2011 they moved to Virginia to reside near their grandchildren.

Nicknamed “the Wizard” by his grandson, Tom Hatcher could fix, repair, or rebuild anything. Growing up in the hills of east Tennessee, Tom was hard-working and industrious, with a lawn-mowing business at 9 years old, and later buying his parents their first automobile. He never shirked from an opportunity to work or to serve others. At a very early age, Tom developed a strong work ethic and a system of principles that served him throughout his life.

Extremely patriotic and conservative, Tom believed that every American was blessed with the responsibility to make a difference. He aspired to leave the country he loved in a much better place for his grandchildren. An old-fashioned “southern gentleman” with a story and antidote for every occasion, Tom Hatcher was larger than life. Mentor, teacher, philosopher, storyteller, and even caregiver for his mother-in-law, Tom will truly and forever be missed by all those whose lives he touched.

Tom is survived by his wife of 26 years and the love of his life, Caroll Jordan Hatcher, of Earlysville, Virginia. Also survived by his sister, Catharine H. Roberts (and partner John DeHart), of Kingsport, Tennessee; five children: Deborah H. Armel of Houston, Texas; Richard T. Hatcher of Magnolia, Texas; Robert E. Hatcher of Houston, Texas; Susan H. Knight and husband James H., of Houston, Texas; Jeremy B. Jordan and wife Amy R., of Charlottesville, Virginia; and six grandchildren: Thomas J. Armel, Sarah E. Armel, Kylie N. Hatcher, James H. Knight III, all of Houston, Texas; Jeremiah T. Jordan and Paul Thomas Jordan of Charlottesville, Virginia.

The Memorial Service will be held Saturday, September 14, 2013, 11:00am, at Grace Episcopal Church; 5607 Gordonsville Road; Keswick, Virginia 22947; 434-293-3549. A reception to follow the service.

Donations in memory of Thomas Y. Hatcher may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project; P.O. Box 758517; Topeka, Kansas 66675 (www.woundedwarriorproject.org, 1-855-448-3997).