Jack Hatcher
Jack Wright Hatcher, Sr. was born on June 8, 1928 in Knoxville, Tennessee, his family having roots in Southeast Tennessee since the 1820s. He died in Chattanooga on August 25, 2016.
After graduation from Knoxville High School, Jack attended Vanderbilt University before entering the U.S. Army for the Korean Conflict in 1951.
Prior to the service, Jack had worked part-time for a small local radio station and exhibited a natural talent for hosting as well as a remarkable radio voice. The U.S. Army sent him to Munich Germany to work for the HQ of the Armed Forces Radio Network, eventually resulting in Dad hosting the most widely-heard radio program on earth. In 1953 he was honorably discharged with the rank of sergeant.
Jack met and married June Cooper in 1953 and entered civilian family life, landing a job with WLAC in Nashville, eventually anchoring the highest listener rated program in that emerging media market.
By 1966, Jack was in Chattanooga and on WDEF radio with his drive-time program working with great friends, including Jolly Cholly, Buddy Houts, and Luther Masssengil. Dad received a number of awards associated with his volunteerism for patriotic causes; chief among them was the George Washington Medal Honor from the Freedom’s Foundation at Valley Forge.
Jack’s lifetime interests included national politics and U.S. history and, in retirement, he developed a radio-based patriotic merchandising product and distributed it nationally. He also was an encyclopedic expert on old movies and for many years collected the distribution rights and copyrights of 30s and 40s Western films, as well as actually owning and showing 35mm originals to gatherings of friends and family.
Jack was active in church throughout his life and was of the Presbyterian faith. He also enjoyed his memberships in the American Legion and the VFW.
Jack (Jo) Wright, Sr. and Kay (John) Hatcher were his parents, and he was preceded in death by his brothers, Chris Hatcher, PhD, and David Wright, and his sister, Mary Kay Hatcher.
Jack is survived by his sons, Jack W Hatcher, Jr. (Marti) and Brian Paul Hatcher (Bambi); daughter, Angie Hatcher Sledge (Jeff); grandchildren, Dustin Hatcher, Traci Lyons, Megan Hawkins, Bonnie Wood, Andrew Hatcher, Katie Sledge, Michelle Sledge, Rachael Gass ,Katie Gass, and three great-grandchildren.
The family of Jack W. Hatcher would like to express sincere appreciation to all who have visited and cared for our Dad and to all who have expressed friendship and remembrances.
There will be a private family service and internment at the Hatcher site at Forrest Hills Cemetery on Saturday, August 27, 2016, officiated by son-in-law Dr. Jeff Sledge, followed by a reception at the home of Jack Hatcher, Jr.
Visit www.heritagechattanooga.com to share words of comfort to the family.
Arrangements are by Heritage Funeral Home, East Brainerd Road.