David Martin Hatton

David Martin Hatton, 55, of Sylva, died unexpectedly after a brief illness on December 26, with his beloved wife, Sara, at his side. Born in Baltimore, MD, David had lived in Sylva since 1991. A nationally certified arborist, he was the arborist at Western Carolina University. He had previously taught landscaping at Oconaluftee Job Corps in Cherokee. David’s legacy can be found in the great love he had for his wife; his steadfast loyalty to his family and friends; his boundless generosity; his extraordinary courage and fortitude in the face of adversity; his deep spiritual growth; his artistry with the trees at his friends’ houses and on the campus of WCU; and the beautiful flower and rock beds at Oconaluftee Job Corps. David was preceded in death by his father, Lester Hatton, Jr. He is survived by his wife of 22 years, Sara Hatton; his mother, Evelyn Hatton, and stepfather, Gene Kaser, of Ft. Myers, FL; his sister, Patricia Beckwith, and her husband, Eugene, of Reliance, SD; his sister-in-law, Poppy Burton, of Austin, TX; nephews and nieces, Michael and Andrew Beckwith, of Reliance, and Britt and Jennifer Taylor-Burton, Jason and Kristin Handselburton, and Ben Burton, of Austin; four great nephews and nieces, Sophie and William Taylor-Burton and Dutch and Opal Handselburton, all of Austin; and dear friends, Christy Stevens, of Corvallis, OR, Jean Ellen and Don Forrister and Louise and Roger Turner, of Sylva. David’s ashes will be scattered at The Farm and on the hiking trails he loved. A service of remembrance will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Community Table in Sylva, his favorite of his many charities. As someone recently said, “David’s smile lit up the room” – as he lit up the lives of all who knew and loved him. . .