Jack Hatcher
This past week we lost another great broadcaster, Jack Wright Hatcher Sr.
I worked with Jack in the 60’s and 70’s. Jack always would tell you what he thought. Most of his thoughts were very conservative. He was a trivia expert. He could tell you just about any hit record from the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s. He also knew who starred in those classic movies.
Jack taught broadcasting in Nashville. One of his students was Jerry Lingerfelt, local broadcaster and longtime manager of Channel 9.
Jack would always end his “Midday Musical” with a patriotic song. I know of no one who loved the United States of America more than Jack Hatcher.
I saw him walking one morning on Dayton Boulevard. When I tried to offer him a ride, he responded, “I’ll be at work when my program starts at noon.” His steps were larger than life. Many days Jack walked to work on South Broad Street from his Red Bank home. He said it was good exercise.
I told him one time he should write a book because his writings were top notch.
I didn’t know until recently we had something in common - both of us served at the American Forces Network, Europe.
He had great respect for Luther and Jolly Cholly, two of his fellow broadcasters. He said, “They don’t make radio personalities anymore like those two.”
Our community not only lost a great broadcaster but a Christian gentleman who wasn’t afraid to share his faith. God Bless his family in their loss.
Earl Freudenberg