James William Hatter's Obituary
James William Hatter, 85, of Grand Prairie TX and passed away peacefully on January 27, 2021 in Irving TX. He was born February 16, 1935 to Henry Hatter and Lorene Thurman, in Summerfield OK. He married Nancy Carlisle on August 1, 1981 in Grand Prairie TX. He was an Aircraft Mechanic at Vought Aircraft and Bell Helicopter for 20 years and later an independent long haul truck driver. He retired as a Deputy Constable for the Dallas County Constable's Office after which he served as a Reserve Deputy Sheriff for the Freestone County Sheriff's Office
He served in the US Army & US Army Corp Reserves as an Equipment Maintenance Engineer.
James’ other interests beyond his career included taking trips back to Arizona where he could enjoy the wide open spaces and views from Mount Graham. His passion for being outdoors, fishing and hunting were very fulfilling to him. He inspired all his children to also love the outdoors. He enjoyed taking his family to attend military air shows to watch the Blue Angels do acrobatics. Telling stories of days gone by were a favorite past time. He never met a stranger and was willing to help in any way. He was a skilled machinist and very mechanically inclined.
He is survived by wife, Nancy Hatter of Grand Prairie TX; daughters, Eleanor Murphy (Michael) of Mansfield TX and Loretta Messinger (Thomas) of Arlington TX; sons, Henry Hatter of Arlington TX and Jimmy Carlisle of Grand Prairie TX; sisters, Mary Black (Gerald) of Fort Thomas AZ, and Charlene Long (Chris) of Safford AZ; brother, Eugene Hatter of Safford AZ; grandchildren, Crystal Murphy, Brandon Murphy, Christopher Hatter, Katherine Messinger, Elizabeth Messiner; great grandchild, Madison Murphy; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Francis Hatter and Lorene Lovina May Thurman; siblings, Audrey Lou Ellen Owen, Georgia Ann Maeder; and brothers, Elza Ray Hatter and David Sylvester Hatter.
Services will be held Friday, March 5, 2021 at 2:00 pm at the DFW National Cemetery.
What’s your fondest memory of James?
What’s a lesson you learned from James?
Share a story where James' kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with James you’ll never forget.
How did James make you smile?

