Jerry Hatcher

Jerry Leigh Hatcher, 75 of Bowling Green died February 9, 2019 at Franklin Simpson Nursing & Rehab. He was a member of Rich Pond Baptist Church. Jerry was born at Charleston General Hospital in Charleston, Kanawha County, West Virginia to Eva Faye Bayes Hatcher of Kanawha County, West Virginia, and Leigh Wendell Hatcher, of Summers County, West Virginia. Jerry grew up in South Charleston, West Virginia and graduated from South Charleston High School in 1961. He attended West Virginia State University, graduating with a BA degree in 1965 and his military rank of 2nd lieutenant from ROTC, with orders to serve in Germany as a member of the Army Signal Corps. He was selected to be on the West Virginia State University ROTC Hall of Fame for his service. In 1965, Jerry married Judith Ann Hawkins, also from South Charleston. Jerry and Judy then moved to Heilbronn Germany for 3 years as Jerry was a captain in the Army Signal Corps stationed in Germany during the Vietnam conflict. While serving in the military, Jerry earned the Army Commendation Medal. He left the military in 1969 and returned to the US where he earned and was awarded his accreditation as Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR). Jerry attended Purdue University in 1991 and then moved to Bowling Green where he served as HR manager at Hills for several years. After the move to Kentucky, Jerry was named a Kentucky Colonel and was a member of Leadership Bowling Green. He attended Western Kentucky University where he eared a Master of Arts degree in Leadership Studies, graduating in 2010. While earning his master's degree Jerry began making friends with and assisting the Vietnamese student population at WKU in multiple ways, such as teaching them to drive, helping with resumes and proofing papers. Jerry and Judy are known as Nana and Pa to their Vietnamese grandchildren and are considered members of the VSA at WKU. Jerry was older brother to Marilyn Sue (Lloyd) Fridley. Jerry leaves behind beloved wife, Judy; daughter, Kristi Knisely and grandchildren, Katie and Caleb Knisely. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Karen Sue and son, Edward Leigh who were born in Germany in April 1967. Edward survived only a few hours after birth and Karen went to be with her Lord in 2011. Viewing will be at Cone Funeral Home (1510 Campbell Lane), Bowling Green Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019 from 3 pm to 7 pm and on Friday, Feb. 15, 2019 from 9 am - 11 am with a Celebration of Life to be held at the funeral home at 11 am on Friday with interment in Fairview Cemetery. Brother Steve Hussung officiating. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to Rich Pond Baptist Church, Bowling Green Humane Society or the Alzheimer's Association.