Tim Hatch was born in Eldorado, Oklahoma, in May of 1929.
In 1940, his family moved to Wellington, Texas, a small town in the Texas Panhandle, where his father, Frank, purchased Hatch Dry Goods.
It was in Wellington where Tim met Tommie, the woman he would be married to for 74 years. They started dating at Wellington Junior High, and after graduation in 1947, they attended Texas Tech University.
Their engagement took place during their junior year, when Tim asked Tommie to marry him before their 9:00 a.m. class. She returned to her dorm and prayed about it, giving him the answer during their 11:00 a.m. class, that she would marry him. They were married on June 25, 1950, marking the beginning of a lifelong partnership.
Tim attended Texas Tech on a football scholarship. His connection to Texas Tech University was both profound and enduring.
During his time at Texas Tech from 1948 to 1951, Tim was an active member of the football team, playing as a back and kicker.
After graduating from Texas Tech University, their family planted roots in Lubbock. There, Tim established the Overhead Door Company of Lubbock in 1951 and continued his passion for football as an official in the Southwest Conference for fifteen years. He had the opportunity to officiate in the Cotton Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Orange Bowl, Fiesta Bowl, and other bowl games.
Tim and Tommie were active in the Lubbock community and at First United Methodist Church, where they were members for many years.
Tim served as President of the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce, the Red Raider Club, and on the board of Directors of Rotary, First National Bank, Methodist Hospital, West Texas Home Builders Association, Administrative Board at First United Methodist Church, and Board of Directors of the Better Business Bureau.
Tommie served as president of the Women’s Division of the Chamber of Commerce, on the Texas Tech Alumni Association for many years, and as superintendent of Sunday school at First United Methodist Church. She also held board positions at the Salvation Army, Lubbock Women’s Club, Women’s Council of the Museum, YWCA, and president of Kappa Alpha Theta Alumni Club and the PEO sisterhood.
Tim’s contributions to the Texas Tech Red Raider Football team were recognized with his induction into the Texas Tech Hall of Fame in 1987, and his commitment to Texas Tech and its alumni was recognized through honors such as the Distinguished Service Award, which was presented to Tim and his wife Tommie in 1987.
Their love for people and strong dedication to service are at the heart of Overhead Door Company of Lubbock. Tim started Overhead Door Company of Lubbock in 1951; at that time, they had three employees. He said, “We started pretty small, but we grew pretty quick.”
And just like Overhead Door Company grew during that time, so did their family. They had three sons, Mike, Alan and Les.
Tim’s son Alan eventually worked with his father and became the owner of the Overhead Door Company of Lubbock. Throughout Alan’s childhood, he hung around the shop, helping unload trucks and fasten hardware to doors. During this time, Alan started learning what it looked like to run a successful garage door business from his dad.
After graduating from Texas Tech, Alan worked for his father at Overhead Door Company of Lubbock – as he said it best, “I always knew I wanted to be in the door business.”
In 1985, Alan bought the business from his father, and today it’s transitioning into its third generation of ownership with Alan’s sons, Clif and Travis. A family business and legacy started by their grandfather almost 75 years ago.
A Legacy Beyond The Garage Door Business
Tim Hatch has undoubtedly left a legacy, one that stretches far beyond the garage door business. Because really, what he built is way more valuable than any company, he built a life with a legacy that embodies a standard of excellence, integrity, and service – one that has touched countless lives.
As a man of faith, family, and community, his life with his wife, Tommie, was one of partnership and shared values, creating a family that continues to carry forward his spirit of generosity, kindness, and hard work.
His impact is woven into the fabric of Lubbock, Texas Tech, and beyond—not just through our business, but through the people he mentored, the relationships he forged, and the example he set.
Tim leaves behind a legacy of leadership, service, and unwavering integrity that will continue to inspire those who knew him.
Rest in peace, Tim – while your legacy continues to live on.