Obituary of James Maurice Hatchell, Sr.

James M. Hatchell (10/22/39) went to be with the Lord on 3/24/24. He died at home peacefully with his beloved wife Christine Ann Joseph Hatchell (Tina, m.1993, Georgetown, SC ) and family by his side. Jim was born and raised in Cheraw, S.C., a town he greatly loved. Cheraw State Park held a special place in his heart. He graduated from Cheraw High, where he lettered in three sports, was captain of the varsity basketball team, a member of the Debate Team, Speech Club, and the Block C. Club. He attended Wingate Jr. College on a basketball scholarship and was VP of the Student Body. Jim went on to graduate with a B.A. from the University of South Carolina, where he was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity and on the freshman basketball team.

He is survived by his three children: James (Wooly) Hatchell, (Athens, TX), John Matthew Hatchell (Leslie) (York, SC) and Jennifer Minter (Columbia, S.C.) and his two grandchildren: Samantha Minter and Liam Minter. He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert (Buster) Hatchell and Carrie Williams Hatchell; his sister Carolyn Seals, brother Colonel A.E. (Chuck) Hatchell, Jr. and his first wife Pauline Cannarella of Sumter.

Jim held a number of leadership positions over the course of his professional career: Director of Government Affairs at the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce, Executive VP of the Rowan County Chamber of Commerce in Salisbury, NC, the NC Chamber of Commerce, Member of the Executive Staff of the National Sports Writers and Sports Casters Association. In this position he was privileged to meet a number of our great athletes: Arnold Palmer, Byron Nelson, Jesse Owens and Chris Schenkel. For over 40 years, he was president of the SC Merchants Association and served as Chairman of the Southern Conference of State Retail Associations. He was a member of the SC Society of Association Executives and served as President for one year and was named Executive of the Year.

Jim served on multiple boards and committees: Original Board of the Columbia Zoological Society, USO Board of Directors, Chamber of Commerce Committees on Education, Military Affairs, Congressional, Legislative, Medical, and Public Affairs. Jim contributed to bringing a Medical School at USC and creation of the Riverbank Zoo. Jim was a Life Member of the General Wade Hampton Camp, Sons of Confederate Veterans.

Jim and Tina were avid collectors of all sorts of interesting items. Jim’s collections included tools, wooden mallets, pottery, razors, Ronson lighters, fountain pens, clocks, watches, books, tobacciana, coins, banks, bird houses, printed currency, walking canes (some that he made), post cards (especially of Columbia and Cheraw)

One of personal things that Jim will always be remembered for was his love of magic tricks that he would keep family children of all ages entertained for hours. As a multiyear and multi weekday attendee at the MOUSETRAP restaurant, he was a star at daily trivia and entertaining stories. Add to this his love of TV westerns and ‘50s music and you get a sense of the well rounded, fascinating guy that he was. Jim will be greatly missed by friends and family.

Family will receive visitors at the Thompson Funeral Home of Lexington, 4720 Augusta Road from 5:30-7:30 pm on March 28, 2024. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Olive Gospel Mission or Agape Care South Carolina.