Thomas Edwin Hyatt died on Dec. 27, 2009, at the age of 91.
Born on Aug. 12, 1918, Mr. Hyatt was raised in Haywood County, N.C., the son of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Richardson Hyatt. He was a 1939 graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Mr. Hyatt and his family lived for many years in Canton where he was employed by Champion International Paper Factory During this time, he was an active member of Central United Methodist Church and served on the Haywood County Board of Education. After 37 years with Champion Papers, Mr. Hyatt retired as the director of employee relations.
Mr. Hyatt and his wife retired to Fearrington Village in order to be close to his beloved alma mater, UNC-Chapel Hill. In retirement, Mr. Hyatt was an active member of University United Methodist Church and Christ United Methodist Church, enjoyed volunteering with Meals on Wheels of Chatham County and, most of all, loved cheering on the Tar Heels at every opportunity.
Mr. Hyatt is survived by his wife of 64 years, Doris Patterson Hyatt; three children, Thomas Edwin Hyatt Jr. and wife, Anne, of Wilmington, N.C., Nona Hyatt Fine and husband, Austin, of Morrisville, N.C., and Craig Kendall Hyatt and wife, Cathy, of Chapel Hill; one brother, James Frederick Hyatt and wife, Helen, of Waynesville; four grandchildren, Christopher Brant Hyatt and wife, Robin, of Raleigh, Michael Aaron Hyatt of Wilmington, Kari Leigh Fine of Athens, Ga., and Laura Fine Ledford and husband, Rodney, of Durham. He is also survived by three great-grandchildren, Luke Alexander Hyatt, Savannah Claire Hyatt and Edwin Austin Ledford.