Rodney Lee Hatcher

Rod made his journey into the arms of our Lord on Sunday the 21st of July, 2019. After a farewell viewing at White's Funeral Home, in Azle TX. on Saturday, July 27th from 3:00 to 7:00 PM, Rod will travel to Hardtner KS. for services at the Methodist Church and interment at the Hardtner Elwood Cemetery on the 3rd of August. Rodney Lee Hatcher was born to Robert Lee and Mary Lee Hatcher (Wolgamott) on the 10th of June, 1952, in Wichita Kansas. He lived in Haysville Kansas until the family moved to Rose Hill while he was still in grade school.       Rod had the rare opportunity to attend St. Johns Military School, in Salina, for his seventh grade year. He would always remember that as the turning point of his live. He said St. Johns made him into the man he became and he was always a supporter of the school, until it was closed in 2019. Rod excelled in sports and still holds an unbroken record in track at St. Johns. Rod finished his junior high and high school education in 1971. He attended three years of college but decided he didn't want to teach history, and went to work. After becoming a proud 32nd degree Mason, Rod walked the hot sands in 1977 and became a member of the Midian Shrine of Wichita. Rod started his Air Craft Manufacturing career on the burr line at Boeing Wichita and after 42 years in the air craft business, he was preparing to retire from Lockheed Martin, as a Manufacturing Engineering Sr. when he died suddenly of a massive heart attack. Rodney is preceded in death by his parents, stepfather, John Huston. Survivors: sister, Karen Hatcher and husband, Russell Hanlon of Wichita KS; brother, Bradley Hatcher and wife, Debra of Rose Hill KS, niece, Brandy Lee Hatcher and husband, Matt McMillikin of Long Beach Calif; double Cousin, Debra Davis of Phoenix AZ.; stepmother, Alice Hatcher; step-sister, Pat Banks; step-brother, Jerry Wolfe and wife Judy, all of Booneville MO, and two very important friends, J.D. Sullivan and Paul Witiak. Rod was very fortunate to have been a member of a wonderful, closely knit, extended family of Grand Parents, Aunts and Uncles, Cousins, and a host of friends too numerous to count. One of the greatest joys of his life was to be Santa Clause and bring the joy of Christmas to anyone who wanted it, no matter how young or old.