Tommy David Hatfield

Tommy David Hatfield, beloved husband, devoted father, adored Papaw, and faithful servant of the Lord, entered into the presence of his Savior on March 29, 2026, at the age of 80, surrounded by his loving family. Tommy was born on March 23, 1946, in Columbus, OH. He graduated from Reynoldsburg High School and then Ohio State University with a double major in Natural Resource Management and Journalism. At the age of 22, he was drafted into the US Army and served during the Vietnam War. It was there that he met and married his beloved wife, Tho Thi “Lan” Nguyen, on October 4, 1971. They built their life together in the beautiful mountains of High Rolls, NM. Tommy retired as a federal firefighter from Holloman AFB. He was also employed as a firefighter at White Sands Missile Range (main post and the High Energy Laser Systems Facility, HELSTF), Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, and the US Forest Service. The highlight of his career was working at the Smokey Bear Ranger District, where he served as Suppression Crew Foreman. This crew morphed into what is now known as the “Smokey Bear Hotshots,” a crew sent to fight the hottest parts of a fire. His work history also included: Fire Prevention Officer and Land Management Team Writer/Editor for the US Forest Service, Public Affairs Officer for the Bureau of Land Management, Instructor of General Forestry at Boise State University, Soil Conservation Technician for the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Sales Manager for KEY Radio and oil field derrick man. Tommy was a pillar of his community. For many years, he served as a Deacon and Sunday School Teacher at Trinity Baptist Church. He was a member of the High Rolls Mountain Park Lions Club and was a long-time volunteer firefighter for the High Rolls Volunteer Fire Department until just recently when his illness no longer allowed him to serve. He was a friend to many and known for his willingness to always lend a helping hand. He enjoyed outdoor activities such as hunting and fishing and loved to play and watch basketball. March Madness was one of his favorite times of the year. His love of the outdoors led to the creation of his own tree trimming and firewood business, “Arbor Encantada Tree Service.” Tommy treasured his family and made every effort to attend his grandchildren’s many special activities. He leaves his family with abundant memories of time spent together. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Tho Thi “Lan” Hatfield; his five children, Carol (John) Wearden of San Angelo, TX, Kim Hatfield of Williamsburg, VA, Christy (Daniel) Gifford of San Angelo, TX, Kendal Hatfield of Calvert City, KY, and Carly (Blake) Moseler of San Angelo, TX; his sixteen cherished grandchildren: Catherine, Addison, and Megan Wearden; Logan and Kaylan; Alison, Jonathan, Aidan, and Darin Penn and Aedan Gifford; Koryn and Ashlen Hatfield and Macie Maul; and Kianna Hatfield and Berkeley and Collins Moseler; his great-granddaughter, Emma Hatfield-Joyce; his stepchildren, Ngoc and Thao and their children; his siblings, Susan (Gary) Meadows, Reverend James Howard Hatfield III, and Christine (Jim) D’Innocenzo; his Uncle Joseph Fisher and many cousins, nephews, nieces, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, James Howard Hatfield Jr and Ollie Nathalene Fisher Hatfield. A celebration of life service will be held on May 2, 2026, at 11:00 am at Trinity Baptist Church, High Rolls, NM officiated by Pastor Steve Fambrough and Pastor Billy Tucker. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory to Trinity Baptist Church or the High Rolls Volunteer Fire Department.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” - 2 Timothy 4:7

"If a man die, shall he live again? All the days of my appointed time will I wait, Till my change come." - Job 14:14

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