Jay Cody Hatler

Jay Cody Hatler went into our Lord’s loving arms Sunday morning, March 2, 2008, at his residence in the Montalba community. He was 56 years old.Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 8, 2008, at Chapel of the Air at Land of Memory Cemetery, U.S. 287 North, with Dr. Barry Roberts officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Herrington/Land of Memory Funeral Home.Jay was born July 11, 1951, in Gilmer, Texas, the third son of Jo D. and Jack W. Hatler. He attended elementary and junior high in Ore City, Tx. He moved to Palestine with his mother and stepfather, Joe C. Rogers in 1965. He graduated from Palestine High School in 1969, where he obtained the highest score on the SAT exam of any student in Palestine High School’s history at that time. He was a U.S. Army Vietnam era veteran, serving from 1970 to 1972. Jay also received several associate degrees from Henderson County Junior College. Jay was an electrician by trade and a Baptist by faith.Jay was preceded in death by his beloved mother and stepfather, Jo D. and Joe C. Rogers and his best friend, Tim Luly.He is survived by his father, Jack Hatler of Norton; daughter, Angel Jay Massey of Fairfield; sister, Jill Nations of Neches; brothers, Jon King of Tennessee Colony, Jim Halter of Winters and Michael Rogers of Longview; four beautiful grandchildren, Kailea, Chance, Michael and Sarah Massey of Fairfield; and many, many loving nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.Pallbearers will be son-in-law Michael Massey; nephews, Jon King II, Jim Hatler II, Michael Rogers II, Kevin King and Adam Nations.Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 7, 2008 at Herrington/Land of Memory Funeral Home, 3434 S. Loop 256 in Palestine.