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TACAMO FALLEN: Ray Calhoun Hatchell, VQ-4
- Jun 14
- 2 min read
October 26, 1942 ~ June 8, 2026
Reported by JJ Caruso and Mike Wagoner: Ray was in VQ-4 as a Natops Evaluator and Radioman Senior Chief.
Ray Calhoun Hatchell, age 83, passed away Monday morning at Kitty Askins Hospice Center in Goldsboro.
Ray is survived by his wife of 65 years, Christine Hatchell; his daughters, Cheri Lynn Clay & husband Robert Edward Clay of Pikeville and Melanie Diane Tilley & husband, Bill Tilley of Goldsboro; his sister, Barbara Jamison; five grandchildren (Joey Raczkowski, Heather Holland & husband Josh, Ashley Briggs, Jeffrey Briggs, and Lindsay Briggs); and 6 great-grandchildren (Kaylee Tyndall, Luke Briggs, Mason Holland, Raelyn Tyndall, Kohen Holland, and Brooks Holland.)
Born in New Hanover County, NC, Ray was the 2nd of 8 children born to the late William and Thelma Hatchell of Turkey, NC and graduated from Woodside High School in Newport News, Virginia. He was preceded in death by his siblings W.F. (Bill) Hatchell, Caroline Pitchford, Judy Siokis, Jennifer Krause, Frances Brunson, and Durwood Hatchell and his daughter, Lori Ann Hatchell Wellford of Goldsboro.
Ray was a retired 21-year veteran of the US Navy, serving as a communications specialist on C-130s. His military service included duty stations in Norfolk, VA; Guam; Fallon, NV; Patuxent River, MD; and lastly in Goldsboro, NC where he served as the Navy recruiter until his retirement as a Senior Chief Petty Officer in 1981. Afterwards, Ray joined the CIA for an additional 14 years of government service. His world travels for the military and government included: European countries, Latin America, Central America, Africa, and South America.
Ray was a well-known Corvair enthusiast and through the years owned and restored many of the rear-engine cars, vans, and trucks. He and his brother, W.F., spent hours and miles on the roads hunting parts for their many Corvairs. Ray could often be found at a local, state, or national Corvair convention and was usually awarded a trophy or two. He was an active member of the NC chapter of the Corvair Society of America (CORSA).
Funeral services to celebrate his life will be held Saturday, June 13, 2026, at 10:00am at the chapel of the Shumate-Faulk Funeral Home with Rev. Jim Willoughby officiating. Burial with full military honors, will be held immediately following the service in Wayne Memorial Park. A time of visitation for family and friends will be held on Saturday, June 13, 2026 from 9:00 am to 9:45 am at the funeral home.
Flowers are welcome and memorial contributions may be directed to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 1650 W 82nd Street, Suite 400, Minneapolis, MN 55431 or Cure for Colors c/o Southeastern Medical Oncology Center, 203 Cox Blvd, Goldsboro, CN 27534.
Shumate-Faulk Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to be serving the Hatchell Family and online condolences may be sent via www.shumate-faulk.com.
The TACAMO Community extends its sympathy and prayer for peace to Ray's family and friends during this time of passing.
So very sorry to hear about the passing of Ray.
He was one of the most honerable military person , and dedicated family man that I had the pleasure to serve with.
hopefully, one day we ole TACAMO crews can get together and spin a few tales as to how flying RM's and other crewmembers were honored and truly previlaged to be amongst such talented shimates.
Larry .
I just can't say enough about Ray. He was truly special. In Navy Recon Unit 4 he was my mentor and got me through some rough times learning new skills as a Navy Radioman. We had some real good conversations over coffee in his home on the base in Patient River, Maryland. I remember I filled in for him at a part-time service station job and I bought a 63 Corvair from him. I was always worried my feet would go through the floorboard! It was a great work car but the best was the Corvair van I bought from Ray. I had it for years. The Corvair engine had been replaced with a V8 - Soooo unique and only…
I new Ray and had the great time flying with Ray. I remember when Ray had a Corvair Van, which looked great, he was planning to install a V8 into it. I don't know if he didnit nor not. We shared restoring cars, for him, it was Corvair's and me it was VW's. Ray was very likable person and joy to fly with. He will sorely be missed by all who new him. RIP my friend. AE1 Don Woods (ret) TACAMO VQ-4 Plankowner.