2017 Distinguished Alumni Honoree
Charles (Charlie) D. Hatfield Jr., ‘65
Charles (Charlie) D. Hatfield Jr. began his journey into discipline at Oklahoma Military Academy in 1959, where he was a member of the Chevron Society and Saber Society, Honor Society, Concert and Marching Band and president of the Radio Club. He was also in command as platoon leader for day students taking R.O.T.C.
A graduate of Northeastern Oklahoma State University, Hatfield earned his bachelor’s degree in marketing/journalism and was president of Phi Beta Lambda business society and a member of Pi Delta Epsilon journalism society. He was also on the Dean’s Honor Roll.
He currently serves as a publisher of three Texas weekly newspapers, and a journalist with more than 40 years of experience. He was a reporter for the Muskogee Daily Phoenix and advertising sales for the Arlington Daily News.
He has enjoyed a career in broadcast media beginning with KWPR Radio in Claremore in 1964 with a sign-on program “Charlie’s Country Capers” as on-air personality along with responsibility in news and sales. He later worked for KRAV-FM in Tulsa as an account executive. He toured Oklahoma as an account executive for Pete Richardson & Associates, representing radio stations throughout the state calling on advertising agencies.
He formed Hatfield & Associates in 1979 as a technology-consulting firm, providing computer services in the Dallas area.
Born in 1944 at St. John’s Hospital in Tulsa, he grew up attending elementary schools in Tulsa. His parents divorced in 1957 and he moved in with his maternal grandparents, Henry and Hazel Richmond where he attended Jenks Junior High. A close friend, Terry Rollins from Jenks convinced him to attend OMA.
Hatfield and his wife Sheila of 27 years, moved to Ferris, Texas, in 1992 to purchase the Ferris Press, later turning the small-town paper into a conservative county newspaper taking First Place Awards for Journalism Excellence. Over the past couple decades, the Hatfields have successfully bought and published The Alvord Gazette, the Cedar Hill Chronicle, the North Ellis County Weekly Review, and the Red Oak Record.
As an NRA and Texas Licensed Handgun instructor since 2011, he has helped more than 300 students to obtain their Texas Handgun License. He also teaches gun safety courses for women only.
Hatfield, 72, has three grown children and six grandchildren, currently serves on the Ferris 4A Economic Development Corporation and has served on the Ferris Planning and Zoning Commission for more than 20 years. He also holds the rank of Lieutenant Colonel as public information officer for Texas Civil Defense.
In his spare time, Hatfield designs graphics and literature for corporations, does a little computer-repair and spends time remodeling his local offices and home.