Longtime Furniture Executive Clark Hatcher Jr. Dies

February 7, 2012  by in UnCategorized   

By Home Furnishings Business in Obituaries on February 8, 2012

Former Drexel Heritage Home Furnishings and Masco executive Clark Hatcher Jr. died at his Mt. Airy, N.C., home on Friday. He was 81.

After serving as an officer in the U.S. Air Force elite Black Sheep Squadron in Korea and Japan. In 1952, he graduated from North Carolina State University School of Furniture Manufacturing & Management.

His 43-year career in the furniture industry included executive posts with Mt. Airy Chair Co., Guardsman Chemical Coatings and Drexel Heritage Home Furnishings. Hatcher retired from Masco Corp. in 1995.

Hatcher was an avid reader, historian, world traveler and generous individual. He was very involved with his passions and community organizations. As a member of First United Methodist Church, he served on various mission trips to third-world countries, and served as Chairman of the Finance, Trustee, Building Campaign Committees, and Administrative Boards.

Recently, he was named as a N.C. State University Distinguished Alumni, serving on the Park Scholarship Selection Committee, and was a Lifetime Wolfpack Club and Alumni Association member.

Hatcher was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Nancy Gordon Hatcher. He is survived by his wife, Katherine B. Parries of Mt. Airy; sons N.C. "Trey" Hatcher III, David Hatcher, Philip Hatcher of Wilmington, and Bruce Hatcher of Raleigh; nine grandchildren; stepson, John Parries Jr., and step-granddaughter, Sara Grace Parries; stepdaughters, Katherine Cornelia Parries and Lisa Parries Shaw of Mount Airy; sisters, Harriet Hatcher Shore and Rebecca Hatcher Kurtz; and a number of nieces and nephews.

A Memorial service is being held today at 11 a.m.at First United Methodist Church in Morganton.

Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church Capital Maintenance Fund, 200 N. King St., Morganton, N.C. 28655; or to a charity of one's choice. Condolences may be made online here.