James A. Hatcher

James Arthur Hatcher, 81, of Lakewood, CO, passed away peacefully, with family by his side, Friday, July 29, 2011.

Born in Wichita, KS to Arthur Edwin and Nila Maurine Cooke Hatcher on July 31, 1929, Jim was raised in Oklahoma, and was graduated from Oklahoma City's Classen High School in May 1947.
During his school years, he was a member of the Sea Scouts and Boy Scouts of America obtaining the rank of Eagle Scout. His love of scouting was also shared by his family with his eldest son and three of his grandsons also obtaining the rank of Eagle Scout.

Jim attended the University of Oklahoma (OU) and in May 1953, completed his Bachelor's degree in Architecture. While at OU, Jim met and married Patricia Plummer. Four of his children were born from this union.

In 1953 duty called, and Jim served in the U.S. Army through April 1955, obtaining the rank of Captain. He attended the U.S. Army Engineers School at Ft. Belvoir, VA, was a member of the American Military Engineers and was awarded the National, Korean and United Nations Service Medals. Jim was honorably discharged after serving in Korea.

In May 1956, Jim was graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) with a Masters Degree in City Planning. Jim was a practicing architect for over 52 years holding licenses in numerous states. He was a member of the American Consulting Engineers Council's (ACEC) Urban Committee, president of the American Society of Consulting Planners, served on the Lakewood Zoning Board of Appeals and served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Credit Union of Denver.

On April 7, 1979, Jim married Norma Beaver of Little Rock, AR. Active members of Lutheran Church of the Master in Lakewood, they were also members of the Mountaineers and Square Halos square dance clubs where Jim served as an officer in both organizations. An accomplished piano player, Jim was a regular music contributor at church and also entertained his family with his talents. Jim enjoyed snow skiing and was a licensed pilot with both IFR and twin engine ratings

Jim was an accomplished sailor, and raced Y-Flyer sailboats. He was a co-founder of the Grande Maumelle Sailing Club in Little Rock, AR and even built a Y-Flyer, the Why-Not?, in his garage during the heyday of his sailing career. Jim passed his love of sailing on to his youngest son and granddaughters Shelby and Savannah.

Jim leaves behind his wife of 32 years, Norma, his brother Thane (Suzie) Hatcher of Oklahoma City, and five children: Jeffrey (Debbie) Hatcher of Portsmouth, RI; Linda (Miles) Johnson, Russellville, AR; Holly (Tom) Moody, Perryville, AR; Michael Beaver, Lakewood, CO; and Nile (Lavon) Hatcher, Roswell, GA.

Eleven grandchildren: Eric Hatcher, Maui, HI; Sandy (Billy) Hatcher McCollum, Portsmouth, RI; Dawn (Greg) Hatcher Gibson, Freehold, NJ; Daniel (Shelli) Johnson, Russellville, AR; Christopher (Leslie) Johnson, Russellville, AR; Zachary (Laura) Johnson, Pinehurst, NC; Laura (Steve) Talley, Tunica, MS; Nathaniel Moody, Perryville, AR; David Moody, Perryville, AR; Shelby and Savannah Hatcher, Roswell, GA.

Seven great grandchildren: Jacob Hatcher and Amber McCollum, Portsmouth, RI; Matthew Gibson and Julia Gibson, Freehold, NJ; Abbi Johnson, Russellville, AR; Evan Johnson, Russell, AR; and Julieanne Friend, Tunica, MS.

In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to the Jeffco Action Center, 8755 West 14th Avenue, Lakewood, CO 80215 or Lutheran Church of the Master, 14099 West Jewell, Avenue, Lakewood, CO, 80228.