- Date Of Death: November 24, 2011
- State: Michigan
HIATT, Raymond W. died peacefully, with his family by his side, early Thursday morning, November 24, 2011, at Borgess Medical Center, in Kalamazoo, MI. He was born in the small town of Horton, Kansas the youngest of fourteen children to James H. and Amanda P. Noah Hiatt. Raymond excelled in and loved to play sports.
In high school, he lettered in baseball, track, football, and basketball. As a young man, he was an excellent pitcher and played in the Kalamazoo city league for Fuller Manufacturing and was also picked up at tournament time to play for Sutherland Paper and The Upjohn Company teams. Raymond even got to pitch against his favorite team, the Saint Louis Cardinals, in an exhibition game. He came in as a relief pitcher in the third inning, pitched 3 and 2/3ds innings, and did not allow a single hit. Raymond remained active into his later years by playing golf and shooting pool. Raymond moved to Kalamazoo in the 1930s to work for Fuller Manufacturing as a tool maker and retired after 45 years of service. He attended Westwood Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents, four sisters, and nine brothers. On September 10, 1938, he was united in marriage to the former La Tressa Simmons, who survives.
Also, surviving are: three children, Joyce I. Clair Branch of Portage, Judy Lynn Hiatt of Kalamazoo, and James R. Hiatt of Kalamazoo; three grandchildren, Jeffrey Skinner of Portage, Michelle Scott Grinder of Portage, and Jamie Brad Cooper of Pensacola, FL; one great-granddaughter, Natalie Grinder; and many nieces and nephews. Cremation has taken place.
