Theodore Randall Hatfield

Theodore Randall Hatfield was born Feb. 18, 1922 in Des Moines, Iowa to Glenn McKinley and Gladys Marie Hatfield. Ted grew up in Chicago, Illinois with his sister, Phyllis Snyder Hatfield. His experiences in Chicago led him to develop a lifelong sense of adventure, insatiable desire to learn and interest in the arts. At the young age of 11 he took visiting relatives by way of the ELL on tours of the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair. He became an accomplished clarinetist at Morgan Park High School. He earned his Eagle Scout in 1938 and sailed Lake Michigan aboard a sailing schooner as a Sea Scout during the summers. He served in the Army during WWII, in England and France, setting up radio communications for command centers. He returned from war with the GI bill and the desire to become a doctor. He began his advanced education at the University of South Carolina. He earned a Bachelor of Science in 1947 and was class salutatorian. At the Medical College of the State of South Carolina, he made lifelong friends and memories as a member of Sigma Alpha Zeta Medical Fraternity. He married Loretta Frances Simmons April 5, 1950 and graduated medical school the following year. Ted and Loretta began their married life and private practice in Myrtle Beach, S.C. His love of country, travel and flying led him to join the United States Air Force as an officer in 1955. His career took him too many foreign countries, including Antarctica. During his service he returned to school at Ohio State University, in 1966, to earn his accreditation in Preventive (Occupational) Medicine. Retiring as a Colonel in 1973, he began his second career as medical director at textile companies JP Stevens, Burlington, and West Point Pepperell. His three children Glenn Randall Hatfield (1952) Sheryl Anne Gunning (1955) and Cynthia Jo Kirkland (1959) remember him piloting them in his twin engine and glider airplanes, camping trips, and the sound of his larger than life laughter. He retired from medical practice but stayed as busy as ever pursuing his many interests. He skied all over the world as a member of the Atlanta Ski Club, bicycled across Georgia, sailed the ocean in his boat from Parris Island, S.C. Ted continued to be a patriot and doctor through his work with Doctors without Borders and STARS emergency communications network. He flew radio controlled planes with his son, Randy, and was an amateur HAM radio enthusiast. He and Loretta traveled to Russia, Egypt, Europe, and throughout the United States as often as he could get her away from their five grandchildren: Jordan and Loren Gunning, John and Elizabeth Hatfield, and Alexandra Kirkland. Theodore Randall Hatfield lived each hour he was given to the fullest. Loretta preceded him in death by just one year. He came to rest on May 14, 2011 to be together with her forever. Funeral Service will be at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 18, 2011 at Newnan Presbyterian Church in Newnan with Dr. Harry Barrow officiating. Burial will be at 12:30 p.m. at Georgia National Cemetery in Canton. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Disabled Veterans and Doctors without Borders. Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home and Crematory in Marietta is in charge of arrangements. www.mayeswarddobbins.com

Theodore Randall Hatfield

May 16, 2011