Joe Hatter Jr

Joe Ray Hatter, Jr., 81, of McGregor, passed away Sunday, April 16, 2017. Funeral services will be at Grace Gardens Funeral Home held on Thursday, April 20, 2017 at 1 p.m. with a visitation one hour prior to the service. Following the service, a Masonic burial will be at Moody Cemetery.

Joe Ray Hatter Jr. was born December 23, 1935 to Joe Ray and Pearl Maxwell Hatter. He grew up on his father's farm in the Spring Valley Community. He attended school in Moody, TX and went to church at the First Baptist Church of Moody.

Joe Ray loved farming from an early age. He planted his first cotton crop at the age of 14. His farm was honored in 2012 by the Family Land Heritage as a 100 year old family farm. He graduated from Moody High School in 1954, where he was involved in 4H, FFA, Football, and Boy Scouts. He later attended Texas A&M University and Baylor University.

Mr. Hatter farmed and ranched in the Spring Valley area for over 60 years. He was active in farming organizations such as Farmer's Union and Young Farmer's Association. He was recognized as Outstanding Young Farmer for Area VIII, Comeback Farmer of the year by the Ft. Worth Press and Farmer of the year from the Waco Jaycees. He was president of the Local Chapter of the Farmer's Union and was instrumental in the development of the Spring Valley Water Association and served on the Moody School Board for 6 years. He was a deacon in the First Baptist Church of Moody, and helped start a Sunday school class for young married couples, and also served as a teacher for the class. He was active many years in the Moody Masonic Lodge. He was worshipful Master in 1976, and was also a member of the Scottish Rite.

He married Ernestene Robinson February 10, 1956, while they were students at Baylor, and they had three of the best daughters ever, Gail, Bonnie and Lisa.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his son-in-law Mickey Humphrey.

He is survived by his wife Ernestene, daughters; Gail Rogers, husband David; Bonnie Capshaw, husband Calvin; Lisa McCaig, husband Pat, Seven grandchildren; Justin, wife Elizabeth, Sarah, husband T.J., Jason; Stormy, Hannah, Amanda, husband Daniel and Kylie, four great grandchildren; Hadley, Zoey, Carter and Preslee.

Visitation

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM ,Thursday, April 20, 2017
Grace Gardens Funeral Home
8220 Woodway Dr Waco, Tx 76712

Funeral Service

1:00 PM ,Thursday, April 20, 2017
Grace Gardens Funeral Home
8220 Woodway Dr Waco, Tx 76712

Interment

2:00 PM ,Thursday, April 20, 2017
Moody Cemetery
317 South Moody, TX 76557