F.P. Tim Hatfield Jr.

F.P. "Tim" Hatfield, Jr. passed away in Homosassa, Florida, on October 19, 2025. He was 86. Tim was born in Kansas City, Kansas, the eldest son of Franklin "Doc" Hatfield and Adelaide Dolan Hatfield. When he was an infant the family moved to Umatilla, Florida where he lived most of his life until recent years when he moved to the Riverhaven Village community in Homosassa.
A graduate of Umatilla High School, Tim was in the first graduating class at Lake-Sumter Community College where he served as student government president. He was a member of the Florida National Guard and was deployed to South Florida during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He was a long-time special education professional, earning his bachelor's and master's degrees in special education at Florida Atlantic University. He also completed post-graduate work in educational leadership at the University of Central Florida. Much of his career was as a teacher and administrator in Lake County, but he spent two years in Kentucky as an exceptional student education (ESE) professor and ESE intern supervisor for Brescia College. In Lake County, Tim taught special education, served as the county's ESE coordinator, and served as principal at both Mascotte Elementary and the Harry-Anna School in the Florida Elks Children's Hospital in Umatilla.
Tim had a wit and sense of humor expressed in stories, jokes, and funny songs he would often sing as he played his ukulele. He enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, hunting, gardening, and spending quiet time on the lakes.
Tim is survived by his wife of 29 years, Ruth Toner of Homosassa, Florida; daughter, Heidi Hatfield Edwards (Ric) of Palm Bay, Florida; sons, F. P. "Trey" Hatfield III of Eustis, Florida, and Timothy S. Hatfield (Lesley) of Bonifay, Florida; four grandchildren, Gavin, Jake, Davis, and Henry; brother, Michael H. Hatfield of Umatilla, Florida; and stepson, Steve Toner. Tim is preceded in death by his parents, F.P. "Doc" Sr. and Adelaide Hatfield; and brother, Jerry Dolan Hatfield. Condolences may be sent to the family at https://www.beyersfuneralhome.com/. In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to the Shriners Children's Hospital. Arrangements have been entrusted to Beyers Funeral Home – Purcell Chapel, Bushnell, Florida.