God saw he was getting tired, and a cure was not to be; So he put His arms around him, and whispered, "Come with me."
With tearful eyes we watched him suffer, and saw him fade away; Although we loved him dearly, we could not make him stay.
A golden heart stopped beating, hard working hands to rest; God broke our hearts to prove to us, He only takes the best!

RICHARD “DICK” HATCHER Age 75, of Lantana, FL passed away Thursday, June 8, 2006. He was raised in Palm Beach County and graduated from Lake Worth High School in 1948. Serving in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War, he learned his trade as aircraft mechanic. In 1954 he married Marilynn Painter of Lantana. He then attended Embry-Riddle School of Aeronautics in Miami. Upon his graduation, he worked as an aircraft mechanic with Eastern Airlines, and was soon promoted to aircraft inspector, a career spanning 31 years. In addition to raising his four children, he co-founded and actively volunteered in the Optimist Club of Miami Lakes, coaching numerous teams over the years. In 1977 he transferred with Eastern to Atlanta and enjoyed growing vegetables and tending to his vineyard in Fayette County, Georgia. Summers in Lantana he successfully marketed the famous Hatcher mango developed by his father. He also enjoyed traveling widely in his RV to visit family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents John and Pearl Hatcher, and brothers R.L. Lamar, David and Merlin. Survived by Marilynn, his wife of nearly 52 years, daughter Sharon (Alex) Ypsilanti of NY, daughter Kathleen (Mark) Zeitler of Lake Worth, son Richard Jr (Kelly) Hatcher of CA, son John (Debbie) Hatcher of GA and 10 grandchildren.

My First Christmas in Heaven

I see the countless Christmas trees around the world below
with tiny lights, like Heavens, reflecting on the snow.
The sight is so spectacular, please wipe away the tear,
For I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.

I hear the many Christmas songs that people hold so dear.
But the sounds of music can't compare with the Christmas Choir up here.
I have no words to tell you, the joy the voices bring,
For it is beyond description, to hear the angels sing.

I know how much you miss me,
I see the pain inside your heart.
But I am not so far away,
We really aren't apart.
So be happy for me, dear ones,
You know I hold you dear,
And be glad I'm spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.

I sent you each a special gift, from my heavenly home above.
I sent you each a memory of my undying love.
After all, love is a gift more precious than pure gold.
It was always most important in the stories Jesus told.
Please love and keep each other, as my Father said to do.
For I can't count the blessings or love he has for each of you.
So have a Merry Christmas and wipe away that tear.
Remember I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.

CONDOLENCES, TRIBUTES AND THOUGHTS FROM FRIENDS AND FAMILY

Marilynn: We will truly miss Dick, our true friend and buddy here in Fayetteville, Ga. He was always so kind to us and treated us like family. We will cherish some wonderful memories of you and Dick, together with us as we ventured out to eat and laugh - I think we did more laughing than eating. Thanks for being such wonderful friends and neighbors. If we can do anything to help you, please let us know. We love you and are praying for you during this time. Love, Kathreen and Doug.

Marilynn, I'm saddened to hear of Richard's passing. It was July of 1991 when I first learned of Hatcher's Mango Hill after reading an article in the Palm Beach Post. Since then, I have made the annual summer trek up the hill to get my share of Hatcher mangoes for the year. It's a wonderful legacy that the Hatcher family has left for the rest of us to enjoy. I will treasure the Hatcher tree I have in my back yard, and I feel that Richard will be looking down to make sure that I take care of it well. Marilyn, God bless you and your family.

My Dad was one in a million!  He always took time to show how much he cared for each and every one of us, even when working the midnight shift, or double shifts.  He had such a heart of gold – he took in a total of 4 boys in need over the years, even though he had 4 children of his own to raise. He was a humble man, and enjoyed the simple things in life like family, friends, and a great meal with a few good jokes. He was strong, and honest, and kept his word.  He taught me a lot by the way he lived his life. He was quite a character, and I will remember all the good times we had.  I miss him so much!   

The Psalmist says the man will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water.

It would be foolish on my part to pretend to know as much about trees as Richard and Marilynn. But let me use this metaphor of “tree” – fully aware that poetry and prose are made by fools like me, but only God can make a tree.

A tree – whether young or old – promises fruit in its season. A fruit tree that does not produce fruit, Jesus said, was good as cursed. Once Jesus came by a fig tree with no figs. He hesitated not a second to curse it. A life has purpose in so far as it’s fruitful – whether tree or man.

Richard – like a faithful tree - produced fruit in and through his life. Fruit like family, friends, customers who turned into treasures of friends. (Like the fruit of grown men – some corporate executives – who recalled an optimist who taught them not only the creed but also how to catch and how to throw and how to bat).

A tree provides shade – a place under which to trade stories of life and weave our memories. Richard was the shade, a comfortable soul with whom you could share a yarn and even explore where on earth these Hatchers had come from. Whether in his home or at church, I always felt safe with Richard – safe and shaded by a giant mango.

Trees often are planted for protection – so daily winds will not blow away valuable top soil. You can see this especially in south Georgia as farmers have planted rows of tall trees to block the wind.

There’s so much that threatens our peace – our little world peace and security. But somehow you felt that Richard was a buffer to life’s adversities. To protect his family and friends, he would discount the hardship of a corporate failure and even dismiss the pain of disease. He wanted to protect his loved ones from that which would hurt the most.

Trees are difficult as to rootage. From my little reading, the mango puts down deep roots in order to uphold its wonderful and heavy fruit – especially the Hatcher mango. (By the way I never met a mango I liked until I met a Hatcher mango).

Back to roots: Richard’s roots were deep in family, but also in his faith in God. Richard epitomized Micah 6:8 (which many consider the essence of the Christian life):

"But He has already made it plain how to live, what to do. What God is looking for in men and women? It's quite simple: do what is fair and just to your neighbors. Be compassionate and loyal in your love. And don’t take yourself too seriously – take God seriously.”

Richard Hatcher was like a tree!

--Sharie (Hatcher) Ypsilanti (Bronxville, NY), August 9, 2006