Obituary - George B. Hatley

George B. Hatley, 87

George B. Hatley, retired cattleman and past executive secretary of the Appaloosa Horse Club, died Friday, Sept. 16, 2011, in Moscow, of causes related to age. He was 87.

He was widely known in the horse world as Mr. Appaloosa for his efforts to preserve and promote the Appaloosa horse, and was a member of the Appaloosa Hall of Fame.

Hatley was born July 18, 1924, to Ray and Neva Dole Hatley on the Hatley ranch south of Pullman. He attended elementary school at the Irene Country School, near Union Flat Creek. In 1936, his family moved to a farm west of Moscow, near the site of the present Appaloosa Horse Club. His education continued in Moscow schools. He graduated from Moscow High School in 1942.

Hatley worked on the construction of Farragut Naval Training Station and later took basic training there for the U.S. Navy. After discharge from the Navy, he attended the University of Idaho, graduating in 1950 with a bachelor of science degree in animal husbandry.

He married on June 21, 1947, and his son was born in 1955.

Hatley worked as executive secretary of the Appaloosa Horse Club in Moscow for 31 years. He started the association's magazine, 'Appaloosa News' (now Appaloosa Journal), published its first studbooks, implemented the first National Appaloosa Show and Sale, held in Lewiston in 1948 and 1949, and started the Appaloosa Museum. He wrote hundreds of articles and several books, including 'Horse Camping,' a classic now in its third printing.

He rode the 1,300-mile route of the Nez Perce War Trail twice and completed the 100-mile one-day Western States Trail Ride or Tevis Cup, across the Sierra Nevada. He was a longtime cattleman, summering in the Deary area and wintering on Alpowa Creek west of Clarkston. He enjoyed driving horses and collecting horse-drawn vehicles. He made his Deary ranch available for Pony Club, dressage and combined training, 4-H trail rides and driving events.

Hatley enjoyed horse racing and bred one stallion that won 22 races, and another that won 18 and went on to become an all-time leading sire of Appaloosa race horses.

He was a member of the Twin Rivers Backcountry Horsemen. He served as secretary of the Kendrick Cattle Association and president of the Helmer Cattle Association.

Hatley received numerous honors throughout his life, including election to the UI Alumni Hall of Fame. He's also in the Idaho Hall of Fame, and was showcased in an article in Sports Illustrated for his success in bringing back the Appaloosa. He received a UI College of Agriculture outstanding alumnus award, and was awarded a place in the Washington State University Lariat Club's Hall of Fame. In 2004, the United States Pony Clubs designated Hatley a legend for his efforts on behalf of USPC. He greatly prized an honor presented to him during a Lewiston Roundup by the Nez Perce Tribe, for which he was presented with a pair of beaded buckskin gauntlet gloves and a Pendleton blanket.

Hatley is survived by his wife at their Moscow home; a son and daughter-in-law of Deary; a grandson; a granddaughter and her husband; and a sister. He was preceded in death by his parents and by his sister Berneda Hamilton.

A celebration of life for George will begin at 2 p.m. Oct. 15 in the UI Administration Auditorium. The celebration will continue with a reception beginning at 4 p.m. at the University Inn-Best Western. Private burial of ashes will be at the Hatley Cemetery, south of Pullman, prior to the memorial service.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Appaloosa Museum, 2720 W. Pullman Road, Moscow, ID 83843; or the Hatley Cemetery, P.O. Box 1035, Pullman, WA 99163.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Short's Funeral Chapel of Moscow and online condolences may be sent to www.shortsfuneralchapel.net.

Lewiston Tribune, September 24, 2011, p. 11A
Transcribed by Jill Leonard Nock