Leroy B. Hatfield, Jr. (1929 – 2022)
DUNCAN, OK—Leroy Basil Hatfield, Jr., of Rush Springs, Oklahoma, 93, passed away Monday, August 7, 2022 in Duncan.
He was born July 30, 1929, in Brooklyn and lovingly raised by his adopted parents, George and Jean DeBell of East Chatham. He attended New Lebanon Central School, graduating with the class of 1950. While in school, he excelled at multiple sports lettering in several. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Army as an infantryman, achieving the rank of sergeant and earning the Parachutist Badge. He spent a year in combat in Korea earning the Combat Infantryman’s Badge and the National Defense Service, Korean War Campaign and NATO Campaign medals. Mr. Hatfield was discharged from the Army in 1954 and spent three years in the United States Marine Corps Reserve before reenlisting in the United States Air Force as a jet engine mechanic. He served a total of 23 years in the military, with two tours in Vietnam, before retiring as a technical sergeant in 1976.
A lifelong patriot, he continued his service as a Department of the Air Force civilian working as a materials examiner and identifier. He retired in 1997 after nearly 40 years of service to the nation and settled down in his home in Rush Springs. After retiring, Mr. Hatfield spent his time maintaining his yard and garden, and tinkering in his garage where he loved to fix anything that was broken. He was a life member of the American Legion Post 170 and VFW Post 9969 where he proudly served as vice commander.
He is survived by: his best friend and wife of nearly 30 years, Shirley (Parish) Hatfield; his children, Druscilla Diehl, née Heidi Hatfield, Peter W. Hatfield and Jeffery S. Eagle; grandson, Sean K. Hatfield and nieces Cindy May, Meredith Reynard, and Leslie Hinchcliffe.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, John DeBell, David DeBell, Nicholas Timperley, and sister, Patsy O’Neil.
A grave side ceremony with military honors will be held at the New Britain Cemetery Friday, June 9, 2023 at 4 p.m. Arrangements have been entrusted to French, Gifford, Preiter, and Blasl Funeral Home in Chatham.
Nicholas Courtens (1989 – 2023)
Nicholas John Courtens passed away unexpectedly on May 21 outside Vail, Colorado, doing what he loved in the outdoors. Nick was born at home in Harlemville, New York on March 14, 1989, to Kelly Cashen Testa (Larry) and Jean Paul Courtens (Crystal). The oldest of three, he grew up on his family’s organic farms in Columbia County and attended Ichabod Crane High School, graduating in 2007. Shortly after graduation, Nick was accepted into the prestigious Longwood Garden Professional Horticulture Program in Pennsylvania where he honed his passion for everything plants and rocks. He came to Colorado in May of 2010 for a summer internship at Betty Ford Alpine Gardens where he remained on staff, ultimately becoming the Curator of Plant Collections where he oversaw the maintenance, design, propagation, and curation of the living collections.
Over the years, Nick had been responsible for building several new rock gardens, perennial gardens and an alpine house. He participated in seed collecting in the Rocky Mountains and traveled the world to learn and speak about alpine environments and gardens.
Nick shared his love of skiing with others and became a big mountain junior team ski coach with Ski and Snowboard Club Vail. He coached many youth onto championship performances and was a role model on and off the slopes. Nick was known for his compassion for others and his love of life and continual personal growth. In addition to skiing, he was an avid mountain biker, fly-fisher, hiker, and whitewater rafter. He loved being with friends and family and his beloved cockapoo, Asa. Those closest to Nick knew him as a dependable friend who took the lead in helping to plan the celebrations of life for some of his closest friends who also passed away in outdoor adventure sports.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by his brother Johannes (Betina) and children and his sister Annie, stepmother Jody Bolluyt, his grandmothers Meg Cashen of Claverack and Corrie Courtens-Soonius of the Netherlands, as
well as many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Nick was well respected and influential and touched the lives of many friends and colleagues wherever he was. In honor of Nick, take a hike, plant a tree, and hug your loved ones.
Donations in Nick’s name can be made to the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, 183 E Gore Creek Drive, Suite 7, Vail, CO 81657. PAID OBITUARY
