James R. Hyatt
James R. Hyatt, 80, of East Brainerd, passed away on November 8, 2022.
Born in Opelika, Al., to F. Marion and Alice Waterman Hyatt, Jim grew up there through his teenage years.
He graduated from Opelika High School in 1960 and enrolled in nearby Auburn University with a major in Electrical Engineering.
In 1963 he married his high school sweetheart, Johnnie Sue York, and they graduated together with Bachelor’s degrees in 1964. Immediately thereafter, he was commissioned into the United States Army and assigned to the U.S. Army Air Defense Board as a test officer for new equipment to be sent to the field in Vietnam.
After leaving the Army, he moved to Orlando, FL where he was an engineer at Martin-Marietta. After five years he left there and came to work for TVA, where he worked for over 30 years. Just before leaving Florida, he and his wife had their first son, Robert. Five years later they had their second son, Mark.
Over the years Jim’s greatest passions were volunteering for his church, First-Centenary United Methodist Church, in the choir, and with the Centenary after school program, Stephen Ministry, and photography.
He was an active member of the Photographic Society of Chattanooga and served one year as its president.
After retirement, he and Sue enjoyed taking cruises and Elder Hostel adventures nationally and internationally, where he practiced his photography obsessively. The picture above shows him and his trusty camera on a London street.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Sue; two sons, Robert and Mark Hyatt, both of Chattanooga; six grandchildren, Gryphon Layne, Boston, Noah Hillis, Chickamauga GA, Tyler Hyatt, Chattanooga, Alexander Powell, Athens, Chaela Vernon and Carlea Hyatt both of Cleveland; and his brother, Philip Hyatt, Knoxville; along with Philip’s sons, David and Doug Hyatt; and his daughter, Julie Baldwin and their children.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, Nov. 17, at 3 p.m. at First - Centenary United Methodist Church with Dr. Mark Gooden and Rev. David Harr officiating.
You may share condolences to the family at www.heritagechattanooga.com.
The family will receive friends Thursday, Nov. 17, from 2-3 p.m. at First – Centenary United Methodist Church.
Arrangements are by Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 E. Brainerd Road.