Mr. Junior Lafayette (J.L.) Hiatt

Junior Lafayette Hiatt, a noble son of God, returned with honor to his heavenly home on November 17, 2014. He entered this world on August 17, 1922 weighing less than three pounds. Born to David Lafayette Hiatt and Ethel Puckett Hiatt, he was the eldest of 11 children, three sisters and seven brothers. The legacy that he leaves is one of honor. He first learned to honor his parents as a fourth generation member of the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day-saints, where he served in many callings as a high priest. On November 6, 1942, while a student at Brigham Young University, he interrupted his studies to join the United States Army, where he could best honor his country, and served as a corporal military police officer in Germany, France, and Holland, during World War II. He received an honorable discharge on March 16, 1946 and returned home to his beloved family in Mt. Airy, North Carolina.
Soon after, he met the love of his life, Irene Julia Koontz. To honor her and his commitment to marriage, he insisted on their traveling to Salt Lake City, Utah, where they were married and sealed for time and eternity in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple, on September 17, 1946. They became the proud parents of eight children, three daughters and five sons: Gail Vernon (Wilford), Stephen Hiatt (Shelley), Joan Allen (Michael Haynes, fiancé), Sylvia Coons (Edmond), Warren Hiatt (Debbie), Timothy Hiatt (Diane), Benjamin Hiatt (Christine Waskiel, fiancé), Eric Hiatt (Kathy). He has 16 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild. Junior graduated from Brigham Young University in May 1947, earning a Bachelors of Science degree in Mathematics and Physics. In May 1948, he earned a Masters of Health Education from the University of North Carolina. He began his teaching career in the fall of 1948, where he taught math, physics, health, and physical education, and coached football, basketball, and baseball, even teaching and coaching his younger brothers. He completed his fulltime career at North Surry High School in the spring of 1992 but continued to teach drivers education until the age of 89. He lovingly held his wife's hand, caring for her during her long-term illness. Junior loved his Savior, his religion, his country, his parents, his wife and children, his grandchildren, his brothers and sisters, his nieces and nephews, and his many friends, especially Marguerite Hixsom, who kept him dancing. He took pleasure in sports, especially baseball and the New York Yankees, The World Series, crossword puzzles, hiking, camping, dancing, photography, swimming, gardening, travel, coconut cake, apples, and Mabry Mill. Preceded in death by his parents, his wife, brothers, V. Talmadge Hiatt and William S. Hiatt, and son-in-law, Ellis Allen (Buster). Funeral services will be held November 20, 2014 at 1:00 P.M. in the Mt. Airy LDS ward chapel, 162 Temple Lane, Mt. Airy. Visitation will be held Wednesday, November 19, 2014 from 6:00-8:00 P.M. at Moody's Funeral Home in Mt. Airy. The family thanks the personnel at Woltz Hospice Home for their kind and loving care of their dad.
Online condolences may be made at moodyfuneralservices.com