Menzo 'Jim' Hatter, 29 Jun 1917 - 12 Nov 2006

HATTER, MAHANNAH

Posted By: Netha M Meyer (email)
Date: 11/21/2006 at 17:32:35

M. E. "Jim" Hatter, 89, retired superintendent for the Madison Elementary School District in Phoenix, Arizona, died of natural causes on Sunday, November 12, 2006 at The Heritage Club Denver Tech Center Assisted Living Community in Denver, Colorado. M.E. was born Menzo Emmett Hatter on June 29, 1917 in Millersburg, Iowa where his parents ran a drug store and post office. Menzo, the middle child of five siblings, grew up during the Great Depression and learned the value of hard work and family at an early age. He helped his father, Orville, the local pharmacist, and his mother, Rose Mae, the local postmaster, working in their drugstore and helping to take care of his younger sisters. He graduated from high school in 1934. Menzo was inducted into the Armed Forces in April 1941. After completing basic training he was promoted to Sergeant and was deployed to Belfast, North Ireland in February 1942. In May he was promoted to Staff Sergeant and soon thereafter was transported to North Africa where he was involved in almost constant battles for 10 months. In September 1943 Menzo landed in Italy where he fought constantly until he was wounded on November 29, 1943 near Scapoli. He returned to duty in three weeks and was commissioned on the battlefield to Second Lieutenant. On February 3, 1944 he was wounded in action at Cassino and had an attack of malaria while hospitalized for three months before returning to active duty. He received his third wound in Anzio, Italy on June 1, 1944 by machine gun fire to the left chest. He had surgery in the tent hospital and was evacuated to the U.S. in a hospital ship. Menzo was awarded the American Defense Service Medal, the European, African, and Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, three Purple Hearts and the Good Conduct Medal. He was relieved from active duty in December 1945 and retired as a captain from the Armed Forces on May 29, 1947. Mr. Hatter married Betty Jane Mahannah, also a veteran of World War II, on September 4, 1947, two months after meeting her in a small club in Iowa where she was playing the piano. They moved to Tempe, Arizona immediately and both enrolled at Arizona State University. M.E. was awarded both his B.A. in political science and his M.A. in education on the same day in 1951. M. E. Hatter was first employed by Madison School District as a teacher at Madison School No. 2 in 1951. He was designated assistant superintendent in 1958 was promoted to superintendent in May, 1966. M.E. insured excellent leadership for the district and a continuation of the educational program with a constant effort to further improve the school system. He retired in 1979 after 28 years with the Madison School District. Mr. Hatter was an advocate of education and children his entire life. He was active in the Kiwanis Club of Phoenix, the First Methodist Church, and did volunteer work for the Campfire Girls and other youth organizations well into his 80's. He had an acute moral and intellectual aptitude and a wonderful sense of humor. He had a keen interest in the world around him and especially in people. He was proud of his small town upbringing, his service to his country in World War II, his success in helping the Madison School District become one of the most respected elementary school districts in the western U.S., and of his family. Mr. Hatter moved to Denver in January, 2006 to be close to his daughter, Susan Davis, and her family. M.E. was preceded in death by Betty, his beloved wife of nearly 50 years who passed away in May 1997. He is survived by his daughters, Sally Hatter and Susan Davis, granddaughters Hillary and Jordan Davis, who were his joy, sister Betty Petitt, and many nieces and nephews who have remained close to him through the years. A memorial service will be held at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver on Tuesday, November 21st, at 1:00 pm. Contributions, in lieu of flowers, may be made to Hospice of Metro Denver, 501 S. Cherry St., Ste. 700, Denver, CO. 80246-1328 at 303-321-2828 and Susan G. Komen Foundation, 5005 LBJ Fwy., Ste. 250, Dallas, TX 75244 at 888-888-3317. Arrangements are made by All Veterans Burial and Cremation, Inc., 303-234-0911.

Published in The Arizona Republic on 11/17/2006.