It was a dark and stormy night when George “Coach” Hatch was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. Well, it might not have been stormy, but it was certainly dark outside. The youngest son of a Lyke’s steamship captain and his Scottish wife, he spent several years in Louisiana and eventually some time in New York City before the family moved to Galveston.

At a young age, George was involved with athletics. Whether it was stickball with others in the street or football, he had a love of sports and teamwork. He played American Legion baseball as part of the “East End Rattlers” along with football and basketball at Ball High. Apparently, his pitching was so good that he was to be drafted out of high school to play professional baseball, but his father said his education was more important. He began college at Baylor University but graduated from the University of Houston with a Master’s Degree in Education. He was part of a national championship basketball team at Wharton County Junior College.

He served honorably during the Korean War although he was never deployed from his base in Alaska. “Coach” Hatch began teaching and coaching at Aldine High School, eventually returning to become a Football Coach/Trainer as well as Head Basketball Coach at Ball High. He was colorful, flamboyant, and everyone had a story to tell about him. If he coached you, you were a “Hamburger” and he was one tough disciplinarian —just ask one of his kids!

If you grew up in Galveston during the 60’s-70’s, he likely taught you health education, how to parallel park or drive, and how to swim or dive at the Seahorse Hotel pool. Funny thing is, he was not the best driver or the strongest swimmer. It definitely made us laugh!

He is preceded in death by his father, Captain Giles Hatch; mother Nancy; brothers, Andy and Dick; as well as his youngest son, Jeff.

He is survived by his son, George W. Hatch, Jr. and wife Liz; daughter, Kelly Pacini and husband, Paul; grandchildren: Krysta Pacini, Kyle Pacini and wife, Kristin, and Ainsley Hatch; and great grandchildren, Camdyn Pacini and Kinley Pacini.

George’s family will receive visitors from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm on Monday, October 3, 2016 at Malloy & Son Funeral Home. Funeral service will be at 1:00 pm, led by Deacon Joe Hensley, and burial will follow at Forest Park East Cemetery in Webster.

Pallbearers will be Jeff Hayes, Mike Wisko, John Taylor, Kyle Pacini, Paul Pacini, and George Hatch, Jr.