Leroy Hatfield

Leroy William Hatfield, age 75, of Pittsburg, Kansas passed away December 2, 2020, at Landmark Hospital in Joplin, MO.   Leroy was born April 11, 1945 at home in Rural Barton County to Harley William and Clara Edna (McKee) Hatfield. He graduated from Liberal High School in the class of 1963, then served in the National Guard. On May 26, 1984, he married Carolyn Roth in Pittsburg, KS.   Leroy was a lifelong farmer, raising crops and livestock.  He worked at Thorco Industries as well at Isenmann Implement in Jasper, MO.  In the 1990’s, Leroy began transporting foster children. In 2000, after seeing the need for a caring home, Leroy and Carolyn began fostering children in their own home.    Leroy coached girls, women’s, men’s, and co-ed softball for many years. He led teams to multiple Kansas State Championships and snagged national rankings. In the 1980’s, Leroy’s team placed 13th in the nation in Tipton, Georgia in the ASA National Tournament. Leroy was a great coach and in 1992 was deservingly inducted into the Softball Hall of Honors in Oklahoma City, OK.    It’s no secret Leroy had a heart for children. He brought joy to thousands for over 30 years as Santa Claus. Leroy was Santa for both Meadowbrook and Northpark malls, sat for portraits at Bishop’s Studio in Pittsburg, visited various local churches, and even made special deliveries to children on Christmas Eve.    Leroy was an avid KC Chiefs fan. He looked forward to NFL season when his fellow Chiefs fanatic friend Traci would come over and watch the games with him. It was a common occurrence to hear them both cheering and sometimes yelling at the TV.     He was a member of Pleasant View Baptist Church and attended Our Lady of Lourdes with his wife, Carolyn.   Survivors include his wife, Carolyn; a son, Kevin (Janette) Hatfield, Liberal, MO; two step-sons, Chris (Gayla) Roth, Ankeny, IA and Tim Roth, Cedar Lake, IN; an adopted daughter, April Harris, Wichita, KS; a sister, Velma Moffett, Carthage, MO; nine grandchildren, Dalton Tinsley, Macenzie (Jase) Masterson, Gabe Hatfield, Kale Hatfield, Blake Hatfield, Marquez Thomas, Sade Thomas, John Roth and Tommy Roth; and three great-grandchildren.   Preceding Leroy in death were his parents, a brother Robert Hatfield, and a granddaughter, Madison Hatfield.   Funeral Mass will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 9, 2020, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Pittsburg, KS with burial to follow at Nashville, Cemetery. Masks are required at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. To accommodate the needs of others, the service can be viewed via live stream at www.ollsmc.com.   The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 7:00 pm, Tuesday at Main Street Bible Church across from Casey's General Store in Liberal, MO.   Contributions are suggested and made payable to the Liberal, MO Recreation Department, and Angels Among Us in Pittsburg, KS, both in care of Daniel Funeral Home. Contributions can also be made to Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Pittsburg, KS.