Obituary of R.C. Hatter

<b>Lexington,KY</b> Richard C. Hatter, 73, of Falcon, KY, died Monday, September 9, 2013. He was born June 19, 1940 in Pikeville, Kentucky to Cecil Wright and Willa Maggard Hatter. He is survived by his wife, Lois Williamson Hatter, his children, Harland (Jenny Lynn) Hatter, Raellyn Hatter, Melissa Carter, and one grandson, Harrison Hatter. He is also survived by his brother, William C (Claire Rebecca) Hatter. R.C. began working as a heavy equipment operator constructing roads in eastern Kentucky. New opportunities led to strip mining coal, and after a few years, he became a Mine Safety Inspector for the Mine Safety and Health Administration in the US Department of Labor. Devoted to the purpose of his job, he took necessary measures to protect the lives of the coal miners at the mines he inspected and was extremely proud of the years that he worked at MSHA. R.C. was an avid hunter and fisherman who loved being in the outdoors. He spent many years as a gunsmith, reloading custom ammunition and repairing many different types of guns. At one time, he was capable of reloading more calibers of ammunition than anyone east of the Mississippi River. He was a very enthusiastic sports fan from an early age. He played on the Junior Varsity football team while at Lafayette High School and served as the statistician for the KHSAA Champion 1957 Lafayette High School basketball team. He religiously followed both the UK football and basketball teams. <b>Funeral Information</b> An Open House to celebrate the life of R.C. Hatter will be held on Saturday, September 14, 2013 from 2pm until 8pm at Toad Hall, 221 Hillsboro Avenue, Lexington, KY 40511. Messages of sympathy and condolences for the family may be sent to the same address.