Norman Everal Hatcher

Norman Everal Hatcher Sr. passed away on Dec. 17, 2010. He was 92 years old. Norman was born in Walla Walla, Wash. on Nov. 21, 1918 to Lester Roy and Pearl Hatcher. He was the second of three sons. He was preceded in death by his parents, his older brother, Daniel Whelan Hatcher and younger brother, Richard “Dick” James Hatcher. The family moved from Walla Walla to Ashland, Ore., where his parents ran the Ashland Florist & Nursery, which was located where the college in Ashland stands today. Before the Great Depression, the family purchased the Bogus Mountain Ranch outside of Ager, Calif. Norman and his brothers grew up on the ranch and attended Bogus School. The boys created some excitement at the school by placing .22 shells in the wood stove along with the wood. The ranchers worked together to buy a Model A panel for a school bus, which Norman drove during his freshman and sophmore years. It was named the “Hog Wagon” by the nine kids who rode in it. By the time Norman graduated high school in June 1939, the family was living on the Desevado Ranch. Dan, Norm and Dick all served the country during World War II. Norman was stationed in New Hebredes in the South Pacific as a parachute rigger for the U.S. Navy. On June 1, 1946, in Reno, Nev., Norman married Helen Bowman. They made their home in Lakeview, Ore., where Norman worked for Lake County. Norman and Helen had three children, Norman E. Jr., Leonard R. and Berna Lou. In 1957, Norman spent three months touring Mexico on his Harley motorcycle. Norman also made a name for himself in the 1950s as the “Strong Man” and “Muscular Yrekan” by lifting the famed 330-pound Salmon River Lifting Rock at the Siskiyou County Museum. The stone was mined from the flats in Cecilville, Calif. in 1852. According to family legend, no one has lifted the rock since. In later years, Norman worked in the lumber industry for Fruit Growers Supply Co. in Hilt as a “powder monkey” and truck driver. During this time, he also obtained his private pilot’s license, and purchased and restored a Piper Pacer airplane. He enjoyed spending time in the air as well as treating family and friends to “scary” rides. Norman commuted from his Humbug gold claim to work at U.S. Plywood in McCloud after Hilt closed up. His father Lester lived with him and worked the gold claim. They lived in the original Kellick log cabin until 1964 and then took out their own claims and built the “Three Finger Jack” cabin, where they lived and mined until Lester’s death in 1992. Norman was best known as an avid gold miner, and that continued to be his life’s passion, whether by gold pan, sluice box or metal detector. Norman then moved to Crescent, Ore. with his son Norman Jr., where he spent his time fishing and traveling. He made a trip to Australia to fullfill a lifetime dream of metal detecting for gold nuggets. He hoped to find the “big one” there. Norman lived with his son Leonard in Brookings, Ore. for a time but was called back to the gold mines of the Yreka area, where he purchased his home on Black Mountain near Hornbrook. Norman was well known for his sense of humor and could be counted on for a good joke and hearty laugh. He loved to read, especially history books. Other hobbies included fishing, motorcycles and the bright lights and one-armed bandits of Reno, Nev., but his main love was always gold mining. He was a member of the Clamper’s of Yreka and was a past president of the Diamond Back Motorcycle Club of Yreka. Norman is survived by his children, Norman Jr. and wife Beth of Crescent, Ore., Leonard of Brookings, Ore. and daughter Berna Lou of McCloud; grandchildren, Norman Hatcher III of Crescent, Ore., Shaula Prichard of San Antonio, Texas, Chris Tanner of Round Mountain Nev., Jennifer Tanner of Ventura, Calif., Eric Hatcher of Orville, Calif., Matt Hatcher of Yreka and Leonard E J Hatcher of Brookings, Ore.; and 10 great-grandchildren. Special friends include Helen Foster, sisters-in-law Patsy and Ginger Hatcher, J.R. Sharpels, “Houston” Wanda and Lony Patton, the Shepards and Randy Smith. Norman followed his dreams and was a true gold seeker. His wit and humor will be missed by his family and friends. A private family memorial will be held.Girdner Funeral Chapel is assisting the family.

Norman Everal Hatcher

November 21, 1918 - December 17, 2010