May 26, 1923 – November 2, 2020
J.C. Tatum was born in Hartley County Texas. His family moved to Lamesa during the depression years. J.C. began hauling cotton for Bill Britt Trucking at just 16 years of age, but that was not his first job. He picked cotton and hoed, starting at age seven. He was quoted as saying, “It didn’t matter if it was 100 degrees, we worked. That is the only way we could eat.”
He had several interesting adventures in his life. While he was working at a service station, a 1938 Plymouth pulled up about midnight. J.C. waited on the man and then later found out the cops were looking for that car. The driver? Pretty Boy Floyd!
He then became a truck driver and drove all over the country, earning awards for safe driving. He stated, “You used to stop and help people on the side of the road or at wrecks. But I got to where I couldn’t get the hurt people out of my mind.” He stated that he relies completely on the grace of God to get him through.
He was married to Doris until her death and then he met the next love of his life, Anita Hancock.
According to Anita’s kids, J.C. loved Anita and loved spending time with her and her family. He loved “Gracie, the little chihuahua, breakfast at McDonald’s, Crispy Bacon, Hot coffee, dancing and traveling.” He also loved to go to casinos and watch westerns all day long. “He always had the remote in his hands.” He loved children. He loved to smile and he loved big hugs. “But most of all, he loved our mom, Anita,” said her children.
He was said to love traveling whether it was a long trip or a short one and he always watched the road and knew right where they were. He did not like to drive slow! If he was on his scooter, you better not get in his way. He would drive that thing as fast as it would go.
He also liked speed in the car. Anita’s daughter Kristi stated, “One time mom was driving and he was sitting in the back because he wanted me and my mom to be able to talk. But he got tired of the way Mom was driving because we didn’t pass a car when he thought we should. He told her to ‘put a foot in it and go!’ We laughed so hard and Mom finally passed the car when we could quit giggling.”
J.C and Anita were always faithful attenders of First Christian Church and J.C. was loved there, as well.
J.C. will be missed by Anita and her children and their entire family, as well as by everyone who knew him and loved him.
A private burial was held for J.C. at the Lamesa cemetery.
