James F. Hatcher

On Friday, January 22, 2021 the world lost a great husband, father, uncle, brother, grandfather, friend and tireless servant to so many to COVID. God took him home and said, “Son, you made me proud and your great work is done, welcome home.” 

Born in Dallas, Texas April 13, 1941 to James Escoe and Lorraine Hatcher, he lost his father way too young when he was only 20 years old. He followed in the steps of his father as a local truck driver for East Texas Motor Freight and ABF before retiring at age 50. While working as a truck driver, he worked part-time for 47 years at Jack Boles Parking Service with Jack Boles, who was his best friend and step-in father, before becoming a minority owner and retiring at age 70. 

Hatcher was known by hundreds in the Dallas community he served. He spent time at numerous homes, galas and thousands of events over the years serving two and three generation of families as the most requested, loved and best-known valet parker in Dallas. 

Hatcher was a Master Gardener who volunteered on a regular basis at the Dallas Arboretum and enjoyed working in the yard, planting and nursing countless flowers and plants, not only in his own yard but those of his family and hundreds of friends. 

He committed countless, unpaid hours to help anyone who needed anything from a simple question, to fixing a computer, to what kind of plants and flowers to go into their flowerbeds. Hatcher loved dogs, fishing with his son and grandkids, spur of the moment Target shopping sprees with his grandchildren, going to New York at Christmas to hang out with his Havana Boys Club friends at Chamberlains smoking cigars, and Fletchers Corny Dogs every year at the State Fair. 

He was a tireless 79-year-old who just recently still worked around the house and even installed lights on the home last Christmas. Hatcher was a friend to everyone and loved his family and friends greatly. His smile and humor lit up a room and, up until a few days ago, was still making everyone laugh. He will be greatly missed and unfortunately gone too soon.  

Hatcher is preceded in death by his dad, Escoe, mother, Lorraine, sister Cleta and countless other relatives and friends. He leaves behind his beautiful wife, Jeri, just two months shy of their 60-year anniversary. Hatcher also leaves behind a son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Mary Hatcher of Dallas, Texas; a daughter and son in law, Jan and Kevin Claffey of Frisco, Texas; a daughter Jill Smith of Austin; and eight grandchildren — Mary Caroline Hatcher, Hannah Hatcher, Demi Eggleton, Julia Eggleton, Tyler Claffey, Morgan Claffey, Chloe Smith and Brooklyn Smith. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking donations in the name of James Hatcher go to either: The Cane Rosso Rescue (canerossorescue.org) for dog adoption and foster care or to Hope Supply (hopesupply.org), which helps with the critical needs of homeless mothers and at-risk children. Due to COVID restrictions, the funeral will be at Restland Funeral Home, Feb.1 at noon, and will be limited to family and close friends but will also be live streamed at http://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/46385. Friends are asked to make a post on James Hatcher’s Facebook page as a forever memory. Today, he is enjoying reuniting with his father, mother, family and close friends. James, you made an impact on so many lives and will never be forgotten.