HATHCOCK, James (Jay) Lewis

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ 03/02/2012 James “Jay” Lewis Hathcock, 64, died suddenly Feb. 24, 2012, from advanced coronary heart disease in Gold Canyon. Welcoming him home were his son Jason Nathaniel Hathcock, father James Carlton Hathcock, grandfather Jack Davis and many loved ones who preceded him in death. Devoted and loving husband to Sharyn for 42 years, who in 1969, exchanged glances on a beautiful summer evening; several weeks later, Sharyn’s cousin Buster invited his high school friend to a Texas-style barbecue formally introducing them and five months later they were married. Over the next five years, they lived in Mazatlan, Mexico on the romantic beach hideaways, a yacht, in a villa and on an island, Los Angeles, Pasadena and San Francisco, Calif. In 1974 they chose Phoenix, to be their home where Jay built a successful remodeling company. However, when the summer heat began taking its toll, plus city life was crowding in on his love of nature, Jay wanted his four children to know the joys of rural living in a cooler climate. On May 6, 1985, Jay and Sharyn visited Lakeside, and by May 22, he had listed their home to sell, completed his building commitments and moved his family to the White Mountains, the place he always called his paradise. Over the next years, Jay was a major subcontractor for the junior high and high school expansions, part of a wonderful group of men who built the Blue Ridge Christian Center’s Fellowship Hall and a department supervisor responsible for over 90 employees with Bechtel Global-Tucson Power. Once this project was fulfilled, and as a deeply spiritual man, on May 14, 1989, he went fishing to commune with God asking him for guidance to provide the answers that would safely secure his family’s ongoing story. On a beautiful mountain day at Reservation Lake, he received a vision of a movie theater. On Dec. 16, 1989 the Hathcocks opened Lakeside Cinema. For many years, Lakeside Entertainment, Group, Inc. was the only movie chain to offer first-run films in what Hollywood considered a very small market. The Hathcocks expanded and developed a movie-going market in Holbrook, Winslow and Show Low. In 2001, they sold to the wonderful Croney family who fulfilled their plans to expand. For the past 11 years, Jay and Sharyn traveled to exotic beaches, played on the most beautiful golf courses that God has to offer and immersed themselves in the vast beauty of 41 of our 50 United States. They spent glorious time with their remarkable family and amazing friends with whom Jay leaves a glowing legacy of bold courage, wisdom, unlimited generosity, a hearty laugh and a dry wit. As one friend wrote, “He will forever be captured in our memories as such a wonderful person whose infectious smile and easy laugh were contagious.” Jay never imposed his beliefs on others; he lived his from the heart and as everyone who knows him, knew, his honesty and thoughtfulness combined for a man who shot from the hip. He encouraged his family and friends to know that miracles happen every day it is simply up to us to recognize them. Jay is survived by his dear mother, Winifred June Hathcock, and devoted sister Olivia Jean Blankenship (both of Amarillo, Texas). He will be remembered as a remarkable father by his son Jeremy Carlton (Amy) who challenged him on the golf course and as a dynamic head football coach shared his ingenious X’s and O’s with his dad. Son and fellow poet Ian Wells (Tracy) who was his fishing buddy on fabulous river trips, spent long evenings stargazing together where they philosophized and agreed with Gandhi’s insight, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” His beautiful daughter, Olivia Suzanne Smith (James) was indeed “daddy’s girl” who shared a walk of philosophizing and in her life she embodies his keen sense of duty, loyalty and vision; joining her brothers to fulfill their dad’s lesson of forever giving the best of one’s self to the task at hand. Jay’s slogan was “An hour’s work for an hour’s pay so make it count!” As Big Poppa, Jay adored his daughter-in-law, Kirsten Elisabeth Hathcock (Jason); grandchildren: Shawn Lewis (20), Ryan Blake (19), Alec Jordan (15), Abigail (14), Kali (13), Gabrielle Suzanne (12), Koby James (11), Gavin Cruz (6), Ryder Wells (2), Cody Jameson Smith, V (2). Jay’s Celebration of Life service will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, March 3, at Blue Ridge Christian Center, 184 White Mountain Blvd. Lakeside, with a reception to follow. As an avid gardener, plants and flowers are welcome and may be delivered after noon on March 3. The Hathcock family is so very grateful for the deep compassion being shown to them. Please send cards and shared memories of Jay to P.O. Box 3667, Pinetop, AZ 85935. In this final process of life that every person will go through, Jay echoed Dr. Richard Boatright’s teaching and wants us to remember that “LOVE transcend the veil.” He will be greatly missed, deeply loved and forever lives on in each of our hearts.