Herman (Ham)
Stayton McNatt,
Captain USCG (Ret), 96 and Dorothy Kathryn (Watson) McNatt, 96
Herman (Ham) Stayton McNatt, Captain USCG (Ret), 96 was born on August 7, 1924, in Milford, the son of Herman E. McNatt and Eva Stayton McNatt Marvel. He was adopted in 1983 by his stepfather Frank C. Marvel. He passed on July 15, 2021, in Sun City Center, FL.
Dorothy Kathryn (Watson) McNatt, 96 of Valrico, FL was born on July 19, 1925, in Georgetown, DE. She was the daughter of Elmer Burton Watson and Hazel Patterson Watson Walls. She passed on May 20, 2022, in Tampa, FL.
They are survived by a son, Jack McNatt (Dottie); daughter, Shirley (Kandi) Kangas (Waino). Grandchildren: Heather Tyler (Greg), Todd McNatt (Jenee), Sean Goodwin (Brandy), Kelly Goodwin and honorary grandchild Mika Tamminiemi of Finland. Great Grandchildren: Jack O'Connell, Kaitlyn O'Connell, Mikayla Mullen-Vo, Arden Goodwin, Taylor Goodwin, Jillian Goodwin, Ripley Goodwin, Ralph Wilkinson V, Hazel Wilkinson and Eva Kathryn Wilkinson.
They graduated from Milford High School in 1942 and 1943. She graduated from Beacom College in Wilmington DE in 1945. He was appointed as a Naval Aviation Cadet attending the Univ. of PA., Bloomsburg Univ. and the University of N.C. They married in 1944 and after he accepted a commission in the Coast Guard, they were stationed in Elizabeth City, NC. They then spent the next 27 years at many duty stations including in Alaska, Hawaii, Bermuda, Florida, Massachusetts and on the USCG Cutter Rockaway ending at Coast Guard headquarters in Washington DC where he was the Chief of Aviation and Director of Safety at the Federal Aviation Administration.
Returning to Milford in 1973, to the home on Kings Highway they bought from the Griers, she became the First Lady of Milford when Ham was elected Mayor for several terms. Ham was a member of the American Legion; Veterans of Foreign Wars; The Ancient Order of Pterodactyls and the Retired Officers Assn. He was a Milford Rotarian, Elk, and was a charter member of the Milford Historical Society; Milford Museum; Dover Art League; Rehoboth Art League and the Milford Stamp and Coin Club. He was a Famous Delaware Artist and noted wildlife carver. He was a nationally known First Day Cover artist making thousands of hand painted covers. Dottie was a past member of the First Friday Group, League of Women's Voters, Milford Hospital Aux., Shawnee Homemakers and the Milford Senior Center; A charter member of the Milford Historical Society, the Milford Museum, Milford Stamp and Coin Club and the Diamond State Doll Club.
Both of them did not want a service until it could be done together. A Memorial for both Ham and Dottie will be held on July 23, 2022, at the Lofland Funeral Home, 102 Lakeview Avenue, Milford. A Visitation will be held from 11 to 12 followed by a Celebration of Life at 12 noon. They will be interred in their plot in the Milford Community Cemetery (Old Odd Fellows cemetery).
In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions be made online to the Milford Museum at www.milforddemuseum.org/get-involved/make-a-donation/.
Letters of condolence may be shared with the family at www.loflandandmcknatt.com.