James Alan McHatton

James Alan McHatton of Wake Forest, NC passed peacefully in his home after a brave fight with Alzheimer’s. He died with loved ones at his side. 

Jim was born in Chicago IL on December 5, 1942 to the late James E and Lucille (Stucker) McHatton. He was raised in Evansville, IN graduating from Memorial High School where he was a proud member of their Fighting Tigers football team. Graduating from the University of Kentucky he continued to follow the Kentucky Wildcats through out his adult life.

Surviving are his wife of 57 years Nadine (Zenthoefer) McHatton who he charmed into dancing with him at the Lamey’s Dance Pavilion. Together they raised two wonderful daughters Pamela Graham (husband David) of Birmingham, MI and Sarah McHatton (husband Ed Fulton) of Wake Forest.  Jim is also survived by grandchildren Ryan and Maria Graham, and siblings Mary, Joan, and Joseph McHatton. Jim was preceded in death by his parents and sisters Peggy Spindler and Leslie Mills.

Jim had a career in sales that took his young family from Kentucky to Pittsburgh, PA to Cincinnati, OH in the early years.    After settling and raising their daughters in Crystal Lake, IL, for 16 years, Jim and Nadine moved to Georgia (Cobb County) in 1990 and in 2013 they moved to Wake Forest to enjoy retirement in the active community of the Villas. He enjoyed playing golf, singing in the church choir and aspired to be a craftsman of wood working.  Jim could make a friend wherever he went and he always had a joke to keep his friends laughing.  

There will be a small liturgy of the word service conducted at the Bright Funeral Home Chapel on Tuesday September 7 at 1PM and with the family requesting that others participate via live stream using this link which will be active at 12:55pm livestream link https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/authorise.php?k=1630870890134874.

Immediately following the live-streamed service, all friends and family are invited to join in a celebration of Jim’s life, hosted by wife and daughters, to be held outdoors at Forest Ridge Park (2100 Old NC98 Hwy, Wake Forest, NC) at Picnic Pavilion 1 near the restroom and playground, between 2 and 4pm Tuesday.  All are welcome.

The family most appreciates your simple words of support.  If you wish to do so, in lieu of flowers, you are welcome to donate to DementiaNC.org or another Alzheimer’s charity in Jim’s name.

Jim would like each of his friends and family to know “you are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy