Obituaries

Funeral Details Announced for Pilot Killed in Crash

The retired Hillsborough County Sheriff's deputy will be laid to rest Nov. 18.

The former Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office pilot who died in a Nov. 9 plane crash in Georgia will be laid to rest next week.

The sheriff’s office announced Friday that arrangements for Lester Hathcox, 58, have been made. A service is planned for Nov. 18 at Bell Shoals Baptist Church, 2102 Bell Shoals Road, in Brandon. Visitation begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by the service at 11 a.m.

A graveside service is also planned at Sunset Memory Gardens, 11005 U.S. 301, following the service at Bell Shoals.

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Hathcox, who also served as News Channel 8’s Eagle 8 pilot, and local attorney Gene Odom were killed when the Cessna they were in crashed in Decatur County, Georgia, Monday. The plane was based out of Lakeland’s Linder Regional Airport.

“Lester was the perfect combination of deputy and pilot,’’ Hillsborough Sheriff David Gee said in a statement “He had the instincts of a cop and the skills to fly. His old gentle Southern boy style and demeanor belied a toughness that served his fellow deputies and the citizens of Hillsborough County so well. His family can forever be proud. We will miss him very much. God speed, Lester Hatchox.”

Find out what's happening in Brandonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

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