James Hatley

James Leroy Hatley, known to friends and family as Jim, passed on March 4, 2022. He was 84 years old and lived in Mesquite, Texas.

Jim was born in Stilwell, Oklahoma, on March 30, 1937; the second son of Alma and Sam Hatley. Jim had one older brother, Ole, and nine sisters—Vivian, Mary Rose, Sally, Alma, Hazel, Hallie, Jean, Betty, and Jessie.

Jim left his home in Stilwell and joined the Air Force at 19 and served from 1956 to 1960. He married Sarah Emogene Frank in September of 1959, and graduated from Arlington State College in 1964 with a Bachelor of Business Administration. He had two sons, James Mark and Michael Leroy. After Emogene’s death in 1999; Jim married Gail Brown in 2001. He is survived by sisters, Jessie and Hallie; sons Mark and Michael; and stepchildren Kenda and Bart.

Jim worked in the insurance industry, earning his CPCU while working for Employers Casualty Company. He later worked for Sleeper Sewell Insurance and Louie Kilgore Insurance Agency.

Jim loved sports, especially baseball, and college and high-school football. His favorite college team was Oklahoma University. He was able to travel to London and the Virgin Islands during his life, but most enjoyed vacationing with family in the mountains of Colorado and New Mexico.

Jim was active in his church, most recently being a member of the Campbell Road church of Christ, where he enjoyed singing and writing songs with his friends.

No service is planned at this time. Donations in tribute can be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.