James Joseph Hatcher age 83 of Edmond passed away on March 1 st . Son of James and Mary Hatcher, born on August 31, 1939, in NYC, NY.
James served in the US Army and shortly after began his career with the New York Police Department (NYPD). He started as a Patrol officer and was able to climb the ladder within the NYPD to include becoming an officer for the NYPD Bomb Squad Division and later retired as a Gold Shield Detective for NYPD. After retirement, James and his wife relocated to Edmond, Oklahoma where they have resided since 1984. After retirement James worked for the US Marshals Services as an officer for air transport and later took on a more subtle role as a security patrol officer for Edmond Public Schools.
Upon relocation to Oklahoma, he and his wife became active members in the Catholic Church and carried a strong place in their hearts to bless others who were in need, they were involved in community volunteerism and were both "die-hard Democrats." If James had spare time you could find him mowing the yard, taking care of the pool, "completing a honey-do-list," checking on the neighbors, taking a picture and immediately printing it off so you had your copy on the way out of the house. Last, but not least, when in doubt and you couldn't find him, he was usually in Home Depot or Lowes. In fact, if you ever needed anything from either store, he had the isles memorized like the back of his hand. James never met a stranger, "To have known him, was to have loved him."
He is survived by his sister, Rita Otzelbeger; daughters, Laura (Curly) Harrison and Kathy (Bob) Josepher; sons, David (Pauline) Hatcher, Gary (Barbara) Hatcher and Eric Hatcher; grandchildren, Kristan (Dustin) Elmenhorst, Danielle (Jeff) Lustro, Christi (Will) Russell, James Hatcher, Emily (fiancé Darren) Hatcher, Billy (Lindsay) Josepher, Dan (Maddy) Josepher and Kelli (Kyle) Thompson; great grandchildren, Ethan Abbott, Riley Lustro, Jaxon Elmenhorst and Wren Thompson. James was preceded in death by his wife Janet Hatcher, sister Peggy Clouse, daughter Theresa Coffman and granddaughter Jessica Hatcher.
In lieu of flowers, the family request all donations can be made to the Oklahoma Regional Food Bank in his honor.
Public visitation will be held Thursday March 9 th , 2023, at Matthews Funeral Home from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with family present to greet friends and guests from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m..
A Funeral Mass will be held at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Edmond, Oklahoma on Friday, March 10, 2023, at 11:00 AM.
To live stream the service please use the following link