Rodney "Rod" Hatcher

Rodney (Rod) Lee Hatcher made his journey into the arms of our Lord on Sunday the 21st of July, 2019.  Services will be Saturday, August 3, 2019 at 11:00 A.M. in Hardtner, Kansas at the United Methodist Church.  Interment will follow at the Hardtner Elwood Cemetery with arrangements by Lanman Funeral Home, Inc. of Kiowa.  Viewing will be at the church prior to the service on Saturday beginning at 10:00 a.m.  www.lanmanmemorials.com  Facebook: Lanman Funeral Home Inc.

Rod was born to Robert Lee Hatcher and Mary Lee Wolgamott Hatcher on the 10th of June, 1952, in Wichita, Kansas. Rod’s early grade school years began in Haysville, Kansas. In 1962 his mother married his step-father, John Huston moving the family to Bell Plaine, Kansas. Then in 1967 the family bought land and established a permanent residence in Rose Hill, Kansas.  In his seventh grade year, he had the rare opportunity to attend St. John’s Military School in Salina, Kansas. Rod remembered that time period as being the turning point of his life. He always credited St. John’s for making him the man he became, and continued to be 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. John’s. When he returned from St. John’s Rod continued his schooling at Rose Hill, graduating with the class of ’71.

Rod also loved history and studied at Butler County Junior College for two years. He also attended WSU for a year but decided he did not want to teach history and entered the work force. He began his aircraft manufacturing career on the burr line at Boeing Wichita.  Rod was currently working as a Manufacturing Engineering Sr. and was preparing to retire from Lockheed Martin after spending 42 years in the aircraft industry.

Rod is a 32nd degree Mason and walked the hot sands in 1977 becoming a proud member of the Midian Shrine of Wichita.

Rod is preceded in death by his parents and step-father, John Huston.

Survivors: sister, Karen Hatcher (Russell Hanlon) of Wichita, Kansas; brother, Bradley Hatcher (Debra) of Rose Hill, Kansas; niece, Brandy Lee Hatcher (Matt Millikin) of Long Beach, California; a double cousin, Debra Davis of Phoenix, Arizona; stepmother, Alice Hatcher; step-sister and step-brother, Pat Banks and Jerry Wolfe (Judy), all of Booneville, Missouri, and very close friends, J.D. Sullivan of Rose Hill, Kansas, Paul Witiak of Azle, Texas and Samm and Dustin Garton of Weatherford, Texas.

Rod was also blessed with a wonderful, closely knit, extended family over the years consisting of grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and a host of other friends. The joy of his life was when he transformed into “Santa Rod” at Christmas time, volunteering to work numerous parties upon request.  He loved bringing smiles to anyone and everyone, no matter how young or old.

He was greatly loved and will be sorely missed. Rest in Peace Brother! You’ve earned your wings!