James William Hatch

James William Hatch (aka Cowboy, Hollywood) died at his home Sunday, April 17, 2016. He has been cremated. Memorial services will be at the Oakland United Methodist Church at 11 AM on April 29, 2016. Family will have private burial at Arvonia Cemetery in Osage County KS.

James was born to Oscar Wm. Hatch and Lois M.(Larson, Hatch)Goodman February 2, 1959 in Topeka,KS. He married Karen Kinnett and they had son, William James (Hatch)Born. They were divorced. He later married Cheryl Souders and they had a daughter Angel Sue Hatch who preceded him in death March 10, 2016. Others preceding him were: father Oscar, grandparents Erwin and Ruth Larson, Osage City, KS ,Leonard and Alice Hatch, Lecompton, KS and step-father, Bob Goodman.

Survivors are: his mother, brother; Robert (Mary Anne) Cape Coral, FL: sisters: Leona Hatch ( Meigs Logan), Janet (Mitchell) Johnson Topeka KS and Sheryl (David) Kreischer Silver Spring MD; son William Born Carbondale KS and two grandchildren: Lilli and Nicky Born of Carbondale. There are also 10 nieces and nephews.

He attended grade school at Winchester and Overbrook; Holliday Jr. High in Topeka. He was trained as an industrial cook but couldn't stand being inside that much.

James was his happiest in the country. As a grade school boy he went with the veterinarian from Overbook to care for animals. He worked at the cattle sale barn also. As an adult he worked on two local horse ranches: Carry and Hayes. At the Hayes ranch he helped break horses to lead and worked them out in the ring. He had a passion for hunting with a gun or bow and arrow, and he'd earned certificates in training for them. He always made sure his fishing license was up to date.

After a back injury caused him to give up his ranch life he moved into Topeka. He loved raising vegetables and would put out a small garden when he had the space. In his last home he had squirrels he loved watching and feeding, trying to keep them out of his plants!

James had a talent for drawing with both charcoal and colored pencils and did some neat, but different, art work.

After he moved into the Oakland community he got involved with helping the Oakland UMC each month with the Harvest Food Distribution. He liked helping people and quite often would take his mower and do yards for others who couldn't do their own. He'd say "Helping others is my way of life" and most that knew him would agree.