Earl Hatfield, loving husband, son, grandfather, and friend to all, passed peacefully away on June 18, 2024, at Solaris Healthcare in Pensacola, Florida. For most of his life, Earl was a resident of Springfield, Missouri, where he worked as a carpenter, homebuilder, and contractor. He was born to Thomas and Eliza (Earls) Hatfield on January 7, 1922, in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas. Earl was united in marriage to Earleene Louise Shetrone on November 22, 1947, in Mammoth Spring. The couple shared 44 years of marriage before Earleene’s untimely passing in 1991. During
the ten years prior to Earleene’s passing, Earl provided exceptional care for the love of his life. Earl and Earleene were blessed with two loving children, Karen and Thomas.

Earl entered active service with the United States Army on October 29, 1942, in Little Rock, Arkansas. During his time in the military, Earl earned the European African Middle Eastern Theater Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. He served as a medical administrative specialist (Medical NCO 673) and attained the rank of sergeant. Earl was honorably discharged from the United States Army on July 28, 1945, while stationed at LaGarde General Hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana. Earl was a proud American who loved his country very much.

Earl became a Christian at the age of 19 and remained a steadfast example until his death. As a teenager, Earl worked as a farmer in Arkansas. He had a gift for working with his hands and a talent for fixing just about anything. Earl moved from Arkansas to Springfield where he pursued his dream of becoming a carpenter. It didn’t take long before Earl became a self-employed custom home builder. His reputation for constructing affordable, high-quality, customized homes was enviable by any standard. During his illustrious career, Earl built countless homes in the Springfield and Southwest Missouri area.

When not building homes, Earl enjoyed fishing, gardening, and woodworking. He took great pride in his gardens and fruit trees. He loved to spend time in his personal woodshop where he made innumerable handcrafted gifts for family and friends. In the 1970s, Earl engaged in bringing refugees from Vietnam into his home, giving them jobs, and helping them adapt to their new life in America. Many of those relationships grew into friendships that lasted a lifetime.

Earl spent the last twenty months living in Florida with his son, Tom. He always had a desire to return home, but his health would not allow it. Before moving to Florida, Earl was blessed with wonderful neighbors who treated him as their own. Some of the neighborhood children spent many hours playing games and keeping him company. Others would shop for groceries, provide haircuts, mow his yard, and assist with odd jobs around the house. Their gifts of time and support allowed Earl to live independently for several years. Earl spent the last several years of his life unable to walk due to severe knee pain. Even during those years, he never gave up. In the words of his son, Tom, “Dad was the most tenacious person I have ever seen. He just would not quit.” Earl leaves a legacy of hard work, persistence, unconditional love, and an unwavering faith in the Lord. He will be deeply missed by every person whose life was touched by his grace and kindness.

Earl was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Eliza Hatfield; wife, Earleene Hatfield; daughter, Karen Ann Trapp; grandson, Eric Bradley Trapp; and granddaughter, Kara Lea Nothagel. He is survived by his son, Thomas Hugh Hatfield; grandson, Thomas Benjamin Hatfield; grandson, Kyle William Hatfield; and seven great-grandchildren.

Earl’s family will host a visitation on Monday, July 1, 2024, from 12:00-1:00 pm, at Greenlawn Funeral Home North in Springfield. Earl’s life will be celebrated immediately following the visitation at 1:00 pm. He will be laid to rest next to his wife, Earleene, in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens. Given Earl’s distinguished service in the United States Army, he will be afforded full military honors at his burial.

In light of Earl’s charitable spirit and his lifelong financial commitment to various missions and in lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Earl’s memory to Grace Classical Academy located in Springfield.

https://graceclassical.org/

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Arrangements are under the compassionate direction of Greenlawn Funeral Home North in Springfield, Missouri.