Richard Ray Hatfield

Richard Ray Hatfield, 75, passed away at the Harry S Truman VA Community Living Center on September 3, 2025. He was born August 26, 1950, in Springfield, Missouri, to the late Byron and Zelpha Hatfield.

Richard was a 1968 graduate in Buffalo, Missouri. He attended Trinidad Junior College for gunsmithing, then joined the Army and served in Vietnam with the 101st Airborne Division.

He married Deborah Skinner from Buffalo, Missouri. To this union, two boys, Joshua and Abraham, were born before, later divorcing. He met Janet Sunde in 1999 and they married in 2001.

Growing up, Richard worked with his dad and brother in a "commercial" egg poultry operation on their family farm, building the stone chicken coops themselves. He later moved to Linn, Missouri, and attended Linn Technical College, studying machine tooling. He was a member of St. John United Methodist Church in Linn.

Richard found the love of his career when he started a portable sawmill in Buffalo, Missouri, which eventually led him to start Hatfield Timber Products, Incorporated in Missouri. Richard's joy and true blessing was to work side by side everyday with his two boys. He was in this business for 40 years, being the head sawyer and truck driver before selling in 2013.

In December 2002, Richard became paraplegic when a tree branch fell on him. Shortly after, he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Richard never gave up, refusing to let his paralysis stop him from continuing to be the head sawyer at Hatfield Timber Products. Everything was changed from foot controls to hand controls to cut the logs into lumber.

Richard was always a hard worker with many skills. He was known to be a kind and gentle man, who loved to help people and was an outstanding role model.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Byron and Zelpha Hatfield; sons, Josh and Abraham Hatfield; and sister-in-law, Sandy Hatfield.

He is survived by his loving wife of 24 years, Janet Hatfield of Linn, Missouri; brother, Don (Mary) Hatfield of Springfield, Missouri; daughter-in-law, Diane Hatfield of Linn, Missouri; grandchildren, Tyler, Zachary, and Noah Hatfield; former wife, Debbie Hatfield of Linn, Missouri; along with nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Friends and family will be received at Central Baptist Church, 1812 East McCarty St., Jefferson City, Missouri on Saturday, September 20, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. A Memorial Service will follow at 11:00 a.m.

Arrangements are under the direction of HOUSER-MILLARD Funeral Directors, 2613 W. Main St.; Jefferson City, MO 65109. (573) 636-3838. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.millardfamilychapels.com