Howell John Hatcher, Jr.

Howell John Hatcher, Jr., 92, of Cary, a retired real estate Broker, banking executive, community leader and, most of all, a family man, died Wednesday, Jan. 3 at Transitions LifeCare after a brief illness.

A native of Morganton, N.C., John was the older son of Judge and Mrs. H.J. “Doggie” Hatcher. He graduated from Mars Hill College in 1951, and enrolled in Wake Forest College. Before he could earn his bachelor’s degree, he joined the U.S. Army in 1952 and served three years on active duty, mostly in Germany.

When he returned to college, he met the love of his life, Blair Tucker. They were married in 1956, a joyful union that lasted 67 ½ years and produced three children.

John was a banker for more than 27 years, working for and managing banks in Winston-Salem, Asheboro, High Point, Raleigh, Mocksville, and Cary, where the family settled in 1970. He retired as a vice president and began a second career in commercial real estate, as a broker with White Oak Commercial in Raleigh. He was also a retired officer of the North Carolina Army National Guard, serving more than 20 years.

Service was in his DNA, as his civic work spanned bank and college boards, churches, business groups and civic organizations.

A man of deep faith, John was church moderator and chairman of the deacons at Cary’s First Baptist Church, a deacon at Greenwood Forest Baptist and, most recently, an active member of Cary’s First United Methodist Church, where he particularly enjoyed his Sunday School class. He was a trustee of Mars Hill and Louisburg colleges and Advisory Board chairman of the Salvation Army, where he’d been awarded life member and was an enthusiastic bell ringer.

John was an active Rotarian for more than 50 years, serving his Cary Club as president as well as Rotary International’s District 771 governor. He also was president of the Cary Chamber of Commerce, former commander of American Legion Post 67, and a member of the North Carolina Division of the American Cancer Society and Wake County Bond Financing Authority.

Upon moving to the Glenaire community in 2016, John chaired the “pushers” (Resident Assistance Committee), helping residents in wheelchairs and walkers to get to events and services. He also convened the prayer group of the Spiritual Life Committee. He loved the residents and the staff at Glenaire.

His wife and family brought him the greatest pleasure. He came to his children’s cross-country meets, tennis matches and basketball games when they were growing up. He modeled for them his faith, work ethic, loyalty and sense of community. And he instilled in them a love for snow, the ocean, penny-pinching and college sports (Go Deacs!).

John made friends wherever he went, and took great pride in his family, community and country.

In addition to his wife, John is survived by his brother, Frank Hatcher (Linda) of Winston-Salem; sons Blair (Rena) of Cary and John (Lynn) of Summerfield; daughter Candy Gregor (John) of Beaufort, S.C.; granddaughter Ashley Babladelis (Nick) of Concord, N.H.; and grandson Brian of Garner.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 8, at First United Methodist Church of Cary. Memorials may be made to The Salvation Army of Wake County.