James P. Hatfield

HATFIELD, Mr. James P.
Of Kalamazoo

Passed away Wednesday morning, July 13, 2005. James Patterson Hatfield was born on September 20, 1931 in Washington, Indiana, the only child of Marion W. and Margaret Patterson Hatfield. He spent most of his boyhood in Detroit, MI, and attended Univ. of Detroit High School. He entered the University of Notre Dame at age 16 yrs. and graduated in June, 1952 with a degree in business. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War from July 1952 to July 1954, and was stationed at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO. On February 6, 1954 he married the former Kathleen Friedman at St. Joseph Church in Mishawaka, IN. The newlyweds decided to make their first home in Santa Monica, California, where Jim was hired by the Carnation Co., Los Angeles. Jim was one of the first people to learn and operate the Johniac computer which was referred by many as the "electronic brain." He later worked for Adolph's Meat Tenderizer Co., the Heinz Foods Co., and ultimately for a laboratory in Culver City, CA, which was purchased by the Upjohn Co. of Kalamazoo. By this time Jim and his wife were parents of five children. The family moved to Kalamazoo in September 1968, and Jim worked for the Upjohn Co. as a computer analyst until his retirement in April 1990 at the age of 58 years. From 1990 until 2002 Jim and his wife resided in Florida, and then returned to Kalamazoo. Jim served his Church as a member of the Parish Council and the Christian Service Committee. He also taught high school level C.C.D. classes. Jim was also an avid chess and bridge enthusiast. Jim was preceded in death by his parents and a granddaughter, Samantha McKinney. He leaves behind his loving wife of 51 years, Kathleen; and his children, Lisa (David) Peterson, Jamie (Gregg) Hester, Nanette (Stephen) McKinney, Daniel G. Hatfield, and Juliet (Gary) Fink; and grandchildren, Micaela, Zachary and Kasey Hester, Caitlin, Caroline and Luke McKinney, and Adam and Andrea Fink; and also several nephews, nieces and cousins. Visitation will be from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Langeland Family Funeral Home, Westside Chapel, 3926 S. 9th St., Oshtemo on Monday, July 18 with Scripture service at 7:00 p.m. Mass of the Resurrection will take place at St. Monica Catholic Church, Kalamazoo on Tuesday, July 19 at 11:00 a.m., Rev. Fr. John Grathwohl, Celebrant. Interment will take place at a later date at the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the "Coming Home Project", University of Notre Dame. Checks may be made payable to the Coming Home Project for James Hatfield. www.langelands.com