Gerald Hatcher

**In Loving Memory of Gerald James Hatcher**
**Sunrise: November 28, 1930 – Sunset: February 4, 2025**

**Life and Legacy**

Gerald James Hatcher, 94, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, in Centralia, Washington. Born in Bremerton, WA, he was the fifth child of Cleoda Young Hatcher and Melvin Hatcher. When his family moved to Seattle, they settled in the Central Area, where they purchased a home.

Gerald was an intelligent and driven student. He served as an officer in student government, participated in track and field, and played football before graduating from Garfield High School in 1949. During summers, he worked on salmon fishing boats in Alaska. He started a real estate career in his twenties. In the 1950's he became a broker and entrepreneur launching his own business, Empire Properties, with the tag line "We sell the earth."

Gerald Hatcher expanded his business by recruiting talented agents, mostly Black, to work in his firm, and he practiced real estate for the next few decades. He was an active member of the Central Area Broker's Association and the National Association of Real Estate Brokers – NAREB, a trade organization representing Black brokers and fostering Black home ownership, remediating disparate and discriminatory housing and property ownership policies and practices prevailing in the United States. As a leader of the open housing movement to end housing segregation, he was a barrier breaker – helping countless Black families purchase their first homes in areas where they were once excluded. Many moved from the Central Area or were Black engineers and other professionals migrating from Prairie View A & M and other HBCUs for job opportunities with Boeing.

When local civil rights groups were battling discrimination on several fronts in 1960's Seattle, open housing was the most bitter fight and yet the most successful. Gerald had great insights on housing segregation and understood the limitations imposed on Black residents. In "The Forging of a Black Community," the author, Quintard Taylor quoted him summing it up this way:

"In an attempt to upgrade himself and his surroundings, the Negro in the Central Area finds himself moving from slightly better house to slightly better house until he has crisscrossed the narrow district with almost ludicrous redundancy – like a fly buzzing about in a closed jar."

Gerald Hatcher's contributions were also recognized in Takashi Michael Matsumaru's dissertation on Black and Asian struggles against segregated housing in Seattle. Beyond Seattle, he traveled to Los Angeles and other cities to recruit Black businesspeople into NAREB and support their advocacy for equal housing under the Fair Housing Act. In a separate entrepreneurial endeavor during the early 1970's, he partnered with two other Black businessmen to realize a dream of building and opening an elegant, spacious jazz performance and dinner club in the Central Area, attracting nationally acclaimed jazz artists and setting a precedent for future venues.

In 1983 Gerald joined Grace United Methodist Church. The following year he leased his office building to an emerging Black broker and transferred his real estate license to Green Stone Properties, where he remained until retirement. That same year marked a personal milestone – he quit smoking cold turkey after being deeply moved by his granddaughter's fight for survival after birth complications required her to be placed on a ventilator.

Gerald embraced life with enthusiasm. One of his favorite sayings was, "It's a beautiful day for living!" – a sentiment he held regardless of the weather. He was gregarious and endlessly curious. He loved traveling, cooking, carpentry, and collecting cars. Music brought him great joy; Dionne Warwick was his favorite singer, followed closely by Isaac Hayes and Les McCann. He treasured his time at Grace United Methodist Church among fellow worshipers. But most of all, he loved and cherished his five children deeply, and his three grandchildren meant everything to him.

**Family and Loved Ones*

Gerald Hatcher was preceded in death by his mother Cleoda Gilbert: his father Melvin Maxzillian Hatcher; siblings Melvin Maximillian Hatcher, Cleoda Marie Waldron, Christine Ruth, Frank Hatcher, and Ellen Lindsey; aunts Lillian Stokes and Edna Wilson; and friend Naomi Drew.

Gerald Hatcher leaves behind his sister Barbara Coleman and spouse James in Berkeley, CA; and sister Gail Walder and spouse Clarence in Mesa, AZ; his sons Gerald David Hatcher and Albert Jay Hatcher; daughters Vivian Detzner and spouse Rob; Eslun Tucker of Kansas City, MO; Julia Mayes of Washington, DC; granddaughters Adesjola Tucker of Kansas City, MO and Cher Mayes; grandsons Isaac Immanuel and Jamin Michael Hatcher; and great-granddaughter Raina Nail. He also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews descended from his siblings Melvin, Christine, Frank, Ellen and Gail; many cousins; as well as many extended family members and dear friends who will cherish his memory.

**Celebration of Gerald Hatcher's Life*

A service honoring Gerald's life will be held at:
Grace United Methodist Church
722 30th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98144
Saturday, March 1, 2025
Service: 11:00 a.m.
Repass immediately following.

Condolences and flowers may be sent to Grace United Methodist Church by Friday, February 28.

**Acknowledgment of Thanks**

The family extends heartfelt gratitude for the many expressions of love during this time of bereavement. Every call, hug, card, flower arrangement, and prayer has been deeply appreciated. Special thanks go to the caregivers and medical professionals who provided compassionate care for Gerald with unwavering dedication to his quality of life.

Gerald James Hatcher's legacy as a trailblazer in real estate will live on through those he helped uplift. His memory will continue to inspire all who knew him.