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Donald Albert Hatcher
1939 - 2022
Donald Albert Hatcher
1939 - 2022
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Donald Hatcher Obituary
Donald Albert Hatcher, 82, of Wichita Falls passed away unexpectedly at his home Tuesday, January 18, 2022.
Coach Hatcher was born August 3, 1939 in Gainesville, Texas to Arthur E. Hatcher and Lucille (Simmons) Hatcher. The family moved to Odessa, Texas and then within a year moved to Wink, Texas. Don attended Wink schools and graduated 1957. After Don completed his degree at University of North Texas, he was hired as a teacher and coach in Gainesville by Kirby Price. He left Gainesville in 1967 and obtained a teacher and coach position with the Wichita Falls ISD at Hirschi High School under head coach Glen Johnson. Don taught and coached at Hirschi for 25 years and later moved to Rider High School and served as a teacher only. In all, Don served a total of 41 years in education and coaching (two years in Gainesville and 39 in the WFISD system). The Coach left hand written instructions on the event of his death and among those specific wishes he wanted his boys to know of his many happy memories of all the wonderful young men he had the pleasure to coach
Coach Hatcher was preceded in death by his parents and one sibling.
He is survived by his wife, Sammie Hatcher. They have been married since August 2, 1991. Also surviving are two daughters, Sherry Lindemann and Debbie Lampman, and her husband Karl; three grandchildren; five great- grandchildren; and one brother and one sister.
Mr. Hatcher’s care and final wishes have been entrusted to Owens and Brumley Funeral Home of Wichita Falls. His wishes were that there be no funeral service or memorial service. Memorial donations may be made to Wesley United Methodist Church 1526 Weeks St, Wichita Falls, TX 76302.
Laura Gould
January 26, 2022
You will be missed uncle Donnie. Always good times when we got together for reunions. Thinking of Sherri and Debbie during this time.
Paula Glamm
January 25, 2022
I loved my brother very much. He always made me feel good when scared kidded me a lot cause he knew it would embass me I loved it. I will miss him very much. Paula
LeAnn, Dawson & Sawyer Hinkley
January 22, 2022
Loved and lost but never forgotten! You were the best Grumps ever! We love you!
Coach, Greg and me at the Orleans Casino in Las Vegas.
Mark and Glenda Grazdan
January 22, 2022
There are so many Great Memories of Coach and we will miss him dearly until we meet again someday. Here are just a few that come to mind: the infamous El Camino he drove; Coach hitting deep fly balls with his fungo bat during baseball season, casually flicking his cigarette to the ground between swings; Coach calling us 'Rookies' if we miss-played those fly-balls; as the First Base Coach yelling "Round It!" on a base hit to the outfield; passing/catching drills during two-a-day practices in the summer heat; driving the team bus to the games; and those wall-to-wall chalkboards of notes in his Biology class (and the hand cramps we got from having to write them down)....and always his kind/uplifting mentorship combined with his quick, funny and sometimes (...well a lot of the times) sarcastic sense of humor. :-)
We'll remember, with great love and fondness, the times we were able to socialize later in life. Coach and Sammie are family and we cherish memories of getting to hang out with them during the 4th of July Celebrations in Wichita Falls and Wimberley. Our 'Boys Trip to Vegas' several years back was simply amazing! While playing Craps Coach stayed at the opposite end of the table and, when asked, introduced Greg and I as his 'Boys.' And in many ways, after our Dad passed away, Coach was very much a father figure in our lives. On the occasions we were in town and could come by for a visit, spending time with Coach was like a warm trip down Memory Lane. While we are saddened by Coach's passing we will hold him (and Sammie) close to our Hearts and always in our Prayers. So long for now, Coach. Love Always, Mark and Glenda
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Coach, Greg and I at the Orleans Hotel and Casino during our "Boys Weekend in Vegas" several years ago. Had a great time at the Craps table.
Mark and Glenda Grazdan
January 22, 2022
So many good memories of Coach it’s hard to know where to start. The El Camino he drove; him hitting fly balls with the fungo during baseball season and calling us ‘Rookies’ if we didn’t field it cleanly; pass/catching drills during 2-a-day football practices in the Texas heat; driving the bus to games; chalkboards filled with endless notes in Coach’s Biology class; his kindness; always upbeat with a funny, sarcastic sense of humor.
Most of all we’ll hold those times we were together, socially, close to our hearts. After our Dad’s passing Coach became very much a Dad figure in our lives. From the 4th of July Celebrations in Wichita Falls and Wimberley; to our trip to Las Vegas; to the times we were able to stop by Coach and Sammie’s home for a visit. Each visit was like a warm and familiar trip down Memory Lane.
I know we’ll see each other again. Heaven got a Good One in Coach Hatcher. All our Love and Prayers,
Mark and Glenda
Greg Grazdan
January 22, 2022
Coach, You are a great man and will be missed here on earth. I know your heavenly team anxiously awaits your guidance and leadership. Until we meet again, with much love and adoration. Greg
Nancy Mathews
January 22, 2022
My thoughts and prayers are with you Sammie & your family.
Debbie Arias
January 21, 2022
Don you will be missed dearly. So much fun with you and Sammie. Great teacher to my two boys. All our love and prayers to the Hatcher family.
Tania snd Tania Rushing
January 21, 2022
We will miss you, terribly, Don Hatcher. So many great memories of you and our family. You will live forever in our hearts.
Tania Grazdan Rushing and Tom Rushing
Andrea Ramos
January 21, 2022
Mr. Don will be greatly missed. My best memory will forever be when 6-year-old me & my sister were home alone scared, looking for our family outside, he saw us and sat us on his truck bed with him and waited for my family to get home without hesitation. Rest easy, Mr. Don.
Carolyn Schreiber
January 20, 2022
Dear Sammie, Don will always be missed, but you will always be loved
Sam Esquibel
January 20, 2022
My condolences to Coach Hatcher's family. I had the pleasure to first meet Coach when he arrived at Hirschi as my coach in 1968.
Stacy Wolf
January 20, 2022
Don was such a great man and gentle soul. I remember many of our long conversations in the Rider High School lounge. Peace, Don.
Stephanie Mullens
January 19, 2022
Coach Hatcher was such a nice man and a class act. Sorry to hear of his passing. Enjoyed working with him when he taught at Rider. Condolences to his family.
Dennis Wuthrich
January 19, 2022
Sorry to hear of Coach’s passing. I enjoyed coaching with him at Hirschi he was a great man and coach. My thoughts and prayers are with the family. God bless, Dennis Wuthrich
Mark Coheley
January 19, 2022
I loved Coach...so many great times together. HE WAS A GREAT COACH, AND A FINE MAN. MY SINCERE CONDOLENCES TO HIS FAMILY.
Ian Crumb
January 19, 2022
So sorry for your loss. Such a nice man who helped mold so many young lives mine included. He will be missed.
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1317 9th Street, Wichita Falls, TX 76301
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