GYSGT Glenn David Hatcher

Glenn David Hatcher, of Saucier, Mississippi, passed away on September 13, 2026, leaving behind a family who loved him, a community that respected him, and a legacy built upon courage, service, faith, and devotion to others. 

Glenn was born on April 27, 1957, to Paul Hatcher and Ada Marie “Sue” Hatcher. He was raised in Paragould, Arkansas, alongside his sisters, Mary Pierce, Brenda Lee Alvord, Paula Marie Hatcher, and Patricia Maxine Maxwell. Glenn devoted his career to the United States Marine Corps, serving from May 1975 until retiring as a Gunnery Sergeant in July 1995. His career took him from Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego to the decks of the USS Coral Sea and assignments with Marines throughout the United States and abroad. He served as a drill instructor and Marine parachutist and earned distinction as an expert rifle and pistol marksman. Among his many decorations was the Navy and Marine Corps Medal, awarded for extraordinary heroism. He also received decorations recognizing his service during the Gulf War. Although Glenn wore those honors with pride, the qualities they represented—courage, discipline, loyalty, and a willingness to place others before himself—were also the qualities his family knew in him. After retiring from the Marine Corps, Glenn continued serving his community through the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department. Years later, he returned overseas as civilian security in Afghanistan. He believed his experience and training could still be used to help protect American service members. When Glenn believed he could help someone or keep another person safe, he was willing to step forward. While working in Afghanistan, Glenn was seriously injured which followed him home and became part of the lasting physical and unseen cost of his service. Glenn understood that the true cost of serving others is not always recognized when an assignment ends or a uniform is put away. Glenn married Jamie on June 10, 1995, just one month before retiring from the Marine Corps. Together, they built a home and family on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and celebrated thirty-one years of marriage. Jamie stood beside Glenn through every season, sharing the joys, responsibilities, hardships, and countless ordinary moments that become the true story of a life together.

To those who loved him, Glenn was much more than a decorated Marine, law-enforcement officer, gunsmith. He was a husband, father, stepfather, grandfather, brother, uncle, teacher, and protector. He leaves behind a blended family connected not simply by names or titles, but by years of shared experiences and the lasting influence he had upon their lives. Glenn is survived by his wife, Jamie Lea Hatcher; his mother in law, Marilyn Russell; his daughters, Megan Kropidlowski and her husband, Mike, and Kristine “Kristy” Hatcher Gemmill and her husband, Ethan; his stepchildren, Geoffrey Craig Hittner and his wife, Shannon, and Kelly McCormick and her husband, Joseph; his sisters, Mary Pierce and Brenda Lee Alvord; his grandchildren Callie and Kaitlin Kropidlowski, Anthony Hittner, Scotty McCormick, Alex Hittner, Augustus Hittner, and Ophelia Gemmill.

Glenn also shared a special and enduring bond with his nephew, Cody Markum; Cody’s wife, Marlo; and their son, Malcolm. Their recent move closer to Glenn allowed their families to spend more time near one another and reflected the closeness they continued to share. He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Ada Marie “Sue” Hatcher, and his sisters, Paula Marie Hatcher and Patricia Maxine Maxwell, brother-in-law Bennie Pierce, and father-in-law James W. Russell. Glenn found great enjoyment in working with firearms, gunsmithing, and teaching others to handle firearms properly and responsibly. He believed knowledge carried an obligation and that anyone handling a firearm should do so with discipline, care, and respect. He also loved riding his Harley-Davidson, a pursuit that offered him the freedom of the open road and the independence to choose his own direction. Glenn was an avid farmer who enjoyed planting, harvesting, and working the land alongside Jamie and his grandchildren. Those days gave him time with the people he loved while doing honest work and passing along what he knew. Glenn’s faith became an important and enduring part of his life. He was proud of his church, valued his church family, and found a foundation in his faith through the later chapters of his life. Even during his own difficult recovery, Glenn spoke with gratitude about those caring for him, calling them “angels sent by God to care, treat and heal.” Glenn was known as a man of conviction, he believed deeply in responsibility, preparedness, service, and protecting those entrusted to his care. He expected the people he loved to think for themselves, stand behind their beliefs, accept responsibility for their choices, and become strong enough to face life on their own feet. His years of service brought accomplishments and honors, but they also required sacrifices that were not always visible to others. His family understood that strength did not mean a person carried no burdens. Sometimes strength meant continuing to carry them while still trying to protect everyone else. Glenn spent much of his life standing watch over others as a Marine, law-enforcement officer, husband, father, and grandfather. His watch has now ended, but the family he loved will continue to carry his memory, his lessons, and his strength with them. He will be remembered for his service, courage, faith, and accomplishments, but he will be missed most deeply for the place he held within his family. No list of assignments, medals, or titles could fully describe the life he shared with those closest to him or the absence they now feel.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made in Glenn’s honor to support veteran PTSD (https://www.va.gov/gulf-coast-health-care/work-with-us/volunteer-or-donate/)

Semper Fidelis.

Visitation will be on Friday, September 18, 2026, from 9:30 am -10 am at Michael Memorial Baptist Church. A funeral service will be held at 10 am in the church. Interment will be in Biloxi National Cemetery on Tuesday, November 24, 2026, at 10 am.

The Riemann Family Funeral Home, Gulfport, is serving the family.