CAPT James Chambers Hatch US Navy (Ret)

Captain James Chambers Hatch Sr., Supply Corps (SC), United States Navy (USN) (Retired), died peacefully Monday morning April 18, 2016 at his home in Buckhead of Atlanta, Georgia. All five of the Hatch children were present in Atlanta at the time. He was 91 years old, would have been 92 in May 2016. He was preceded in death by his loving and devoted wife of 62 ½ years, Lillian Marie Adams Hatch, who passed away April 11, 2015 at their home in Atlanta.

Captain James C. Hatch, SC, USN (Ret), was born in Selma Alabama on May 22, 1924. His parents were Benjamin Francis Hatch Jr and Helen Irby Hatch. He lived and attended school in Uniontown Alabama. He completed High School at Marion Military Institute where he had a scholarship as a bugler. His brother was the late Edwin Irby Hatch of Atlanta and his brother Francis Hatch of Uniontown, Alabama. He graduated from the Naval Academy in the 10th company with the class of 1947. Jim’s main sport was handball. On an exchange weekend at West Point he challenged the #1 handball player and lost his bathrobe. Jim challenged the #2 player and won his West Point bathrobe. The next day Jim was allowed to play #2 on the West Point team against the University of Pennsylvania and won.

Jim was a veteran of WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. Jim’s sea duty included USS Philippine Sea (CV-47), USS PCE 874, USS PGM 25, USS PC 579, USS PCS 1474, USS PC 581, USS Calvert(APA 32), and USS Enoree (AO 69). His shore duties were at Great Lakes, China Lake California, Japan, Philadelphia, Saigon, and Davisville, Rhode Island. Jim was in the Korean War on the USS Calvert and was #2 Supply Officer at Headquarters Support Activity and Naval Support Activity Saigon Vietnam, furnishing all supplies for all Military in the buildup of troops from 35000 to 450000 in 1965-66. His ship USS Philippine Sea took ADM Byrd on Operation High Jump to Antarctica on his last trip to the South Pole in 1947. Years later, at CBC Davisville, RI, Jim was responsible for supplies to Antarctica and he made a trip to McMurdo and to the South Pole in 1971.

Following his Navy retirement in June 1972, after 26 years of active duty, Jim and Lynn moved to Atlanta with their 5 children. Jim’s first job after the Navy was Director of Finance with the Atlanta Housing Authority for 8 years followed by entrepreneurial employment in railroad car rebuilding and leasing. Following this, Jim was in Commercial Real Estate for 7 years with Northside Realty where he was the Top Producer for 2 years. After this, he spent 13 years with his own company North Star Realty. He went back to school and received the elite CCIM designation-Certified Commercial Investment Member.

Jim and his wife Lynn were devoted members of the Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Atlanta since 1972, where he loved singing in the choir. He was a member of the Midtown Rotary Club, Life Member of the Naval Academy Alumni Association, and Resident Life Members of the Capital City Club. Jim’s great great great grandfather Governor Benjamin Ogle owned the Naval Academy Alumni House. Jim is a Magna Charta Baron, a Descendent of the Knights of the Garter, a member of the Jamestowne Society, a member of the Americans of Royal Descent and the Sons of the American Revolution, a member of the Veteran of Foreign Wars (VFW), American Legion, and Mariners Club. Jim and Lynn were very active in retirement, dancing with the Naval Academy Alumni group which they loved so dearly on many weekend nights, traveling to Europe for son Robert’s promotion to Navy Commander, dancing and attending many events with the Capital City Club and as well as dining at their favorite table #12 at Bones Restaurant in Buckhead and La Grotta Ristorante Italiano in Buckhead.

Jim’s greatest ally and strength was his loving wife of 62 ½ years, Lillian Marie Adams of Jersey City, New Jersey. Lynn was the “Love of his Life.” Jim wrote two books in honor of Lynn, “War Letters and Love Letters” and “The Love of My Life”. A classmate of Jim's, the late Frank Owens, introduced Jim and Lynn at her club’s dance in the Grand Ballroom of the Biltmore Hotel around 10pm. Jim wanted to dance with that pretty girl all night but she was always busy. Finally they played a Samba at 12:45am. Jim had just gone to Arthur Murray's to learn the Samba. So he cut in on her, danced one dance, went back to his ship and told his roommate he had just met the girl he was going to marry. Jim and Lynn are survived by their daughter, Maureen Harrington (and her husband Bradley Neil Harrington), 4 sons, James Chambers Hatch, Jr., John Benjamin Francis Hatch, Kevin Tayloe Hatch, (and his wife Kerry Delores Hatch), and Commander Robert Adams Hatch, U.S. Navy (Ret); their grandchildren, Leigha Poulnot, (and her husband Jeffery Poulnot), Kevin Tayloe Hatch, Jr., William Kyle Hatch; and great grandchildren, Kieran Elliot, Jacob Poulnot, and Mason Poulnot.

The Hatch family will receive family and friends on Thursday, April 21, 2016, from 5:00pm - 8:00pm with a Catholic Rosary service from 7:30 to 8:00 pm at H.M. Patterson and Son-Arlington Chapel, 173 Allen Rd., NE, Sandy Springs, GA 30328. A Funeral Mass will be held Friday, April 22, 2016, 10:00am to 11:00am at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 4465 Northside Drive, NW, Atlanta, GA 30327. Holy Spirit will be hosting a reception following the mass at 11:00am - 11:30am at McDonough Hall in Holy Spirit. Full Military Honors and committal service for Captain Hatch will be held at 12:00pm at Arlington Memorial Park (Serenity section), 201 Mount Vernon Highway, NW, Sandy Springs, Georgia 30328.

Phone 404-255-0750

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Atlanta.

Condolences can be sent to 2710 Monterey Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30350.

PRAISE TO OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST

Jim Hatch