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A lifetime of service: remembering Judge John Hatcher
FAYETTEVILLE, WV (WVNS) – Fayette County is remembering a man who lived in service to the people.
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Retired Circuit Court Judge John Hatcher Jr. passed away peacefully after a lifetime of service to his county, state, and country.
Before taking an oath to serve West Virginia's twelfth district, Judge Hatcher took an oath to serve his country as a member of the U.S. Army. He would be commissioned as Captain and serve as a JAG Officer in Vietnam before his honorable discharge. Those who knew him remember Judge Hatcher for his commanding presence and distinct humor.'Oh, Judge Hatcher was awesome! Judge Hatcher was all business,' said Fayette County Assessor Eddie Young. 'He had a sense of humor that was very dry, but it was funny! I always like Judge Hatcher.'
Before taking the bench, Judge Hatcher would represent the residents of Fayette County as a member of the House of Delegates. There, he would serve as Chair of the House Judiciary Committee. He would then put his skills to work serving the Twelfth District as Circuit Judge for nearly three decades before announcing his retirement in 2018.
Young told 59News it was Judge Hatcher he went to for guidance when he took the assessor role over twenty years ago.'When I first took this office, I went to Judge Hatcher, talked to him and said, 'do you have any advice for me?' He kicked his feet up and started naming off stuff. It seemed like he appreciated me asking him that,' he said. 'I loved Judge Hatcher; he was a good guy.'
In lieu of flowers, family members have requested donations be made to the Honorable John W. Hatcher Jr. Memorial Law Scholarship at the West Virginia University College of Law.
Friends and loved ones will pay their respects this weekend to a man devoted to family, service and community.
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