“Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after.” --Henry David Thoreau
Sherman, Texas -- This quote captures the spirit of Richard Gil Hatch, who tragically passed away on December 3, 2024. Whether casting a line or sharing a laugh, Richard was always in search of life’s simple joys, finding happiness not just in the catch, but the moments that made him laugh along the way.
Richard was born on July 19, 1962, to Glenn Eldon and Nancy Ruth Hatch in Denison, Texas. He was the second of five children. Richard graduated from
Sherman High School in 1980. He married Kim Brown on July 16, 1982, and they were blessed with the birth of their two sons, Justin Rowdy on April 22, 1986, and
Jordan Ryan on November 5, 1990. After graduating high school, Richard worked at Hitchcock Industries. He later
worked at Kraft Foods and The Pillsbury Company before attending Grayson College in 2004 to pursue an associate’s degree in nursing and becoming a Registered Nurse. He had found his calling as a nurse.
Richard worked in numerous medical facilities in Grayson and other surrounding counties, as well as pursuing travel assignments in Espanola, New Mexico; Temple, Texas; and Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.
Few things in life gave him more pleasure than nursing. He adored the relationships he made along the way and being able to care for his patients. Richard always jokingly said that “nurses make the worst patients” and anyone who cared for Richard would attest that he definitely didn’t make it easy on them.
Richard volunteered with many local programs in Sherman. He was a youth coach for both of his sons’ soccer, football, and baseball teams, where he gained
multitudes of “adopted” sons and daughters. He dedicated many years to the Board of Directors of Sherman Youth Baseball, taking on several leadership
roles, including President. He also served on the Sherman Parks and Recreation Board. He found great fulfillment and pride working with the youth in the community and was very thankful for “his kids” that he coached for allowing him to be a part of their lives.
Years after high school, Richard and Laurie reconnected and began a new chapter of love filled with laughter and a deep friendship neither had experienced before. They were married in a small ceremony on Leap Day, February 29, 2012, in Abiquiu, New Mexico. Over the years, they embraced adventure and traveled together, marking each anniversary with a special Leap Day trip where they would re-exchange their wedding vows.
Anyone who knew Richard and Laurie would agree that their love was one for the books – a bond like no other, with affectionate banter, mutual appreciation, and unique adoration for each other.
Richard and Laurie enjoyed spending time with their children and grandchildren, who lovingly refer to them as Poppy and Lolly. From traveling to Istanbul, Turkey,
to Big Bend National Park, Richard always found a way to form bonds with his children and treasured each moment he got to spend with them. Being Poppy for the past few years was the highlight of his life. He took every opportunity to proudly share stories about his children and grandchildren, never hesitating to brag about their accomplishments and how much they meant to him.
Family was by far the thing in his life that gave Richard the most joy. Outside of work and family, Richard cherished spending time with Laurie and their many wonderful friends. Whether it was camping, cooking outdoors, fishing, playing poker, watching baseball, or just sitting around with friends telling stories–many of which we’ve heard countless times–he always found a way to enjoy the moment. The one thing that was always constant with Richard is that he was always Richard, no matter what crowd he was with.
Richard is survived by his wife, Laurie Russell Hatch of Sherman; sons, Justin Hatch and wife Brook of Sherman, and Jordan Hatch of Sherman; daughters, Courtney Kanyilmaz and husband Batuhan of Sherman, and Ashley Murphy of Sherman; granddaughters, Jessie Grace Hatch, Rylee Su Kanyilmaz, and Juniper Ay Kanyilmaz of Sherman; grandson, Bora Cooper Kanyilmaz of Sherman; sister, Bobbie Thompson and husband Billy of Sherman; brothers, Eddie Hatch and
partner Jamie Hewitt of Stillwater, Oklahoma, Donald Hatch and wife JoAnn of Sherman, and Antwaun Dawson of McKinney; father-in-law, Gerald Russell of
Sherman; nephews, Brian Thompson and wife Melissa of Prosper, Brad Thompson and wife Samantha of Anna, Tyler Hatch and wife Kati of Josephine, and Cody Commander and wife Natalie of Norman, Oklahoma; along with uncles, aunts, great-nephews, great-nieces and countless other friends that Richard called his family.
Richard is preceded in death by his parents, Glenn and Nancy, his mother-in-law Jamie Carolyn Russell, and sister Robin Dedrick.
Richard’s family invites you to attend a visitation with family at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 11 at Waldo Funeral Home in Sherman. A Celebration of Life Ceremony will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 12 at 903 Brewers in Sherman. All are welcome to join us as we remember and celebrate Richard’s life.
Richard’s legacy lives on through the countless lives he touched, whether as a nurse, coach, father, or friend. His love for his family and friends, his passion for helping others, and his commitment to his community will never be forgotten. The family would like to offer a special thanks to those who have supported them through donations, meal train contributions, calls, messages, thoughts, and prayers in this devastating time.
