Herman Stayton
(Ham) McNatt,
Captain USCG (ret)., 96
Herman Stayton (Ham) McNatt, Captain USCG (ret). of Valrico, Fla. was born on August 7, 1924 in Milford, Del. He was the son of the late Herman and Eva Stayton McNatt and the stepson of the late Frank Marvel. He passed on July 15, 2021 at Sun City Center, Fla.
He is survived by his wife of 76 years, Dorothy (Watson) McNatt; 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 Wilkinson.
He graduated from Milford High School in 1942 and was appointed as a Naval Aviation Cadet. He completed his cadet training while attending flight school in Corpus Christi, Texas. When he finished his training in 1945, he accepted a commission in the U.S. Coast Guard as aviator number 456 and his first assignment was the air station in Elizabeth City, N.C. He spent the next 30 years at many duty stations including in Alaska, Hawaii, Bermuda, Florida, Massachusetts and on the USCG Cutter Rockaway. He was at Headquarters in Washington DC where he became the Chief of Aviation. After that posting, he served three years at the Federal Aviation Administration as the Director of Safety.
Returning to Milford in 1973, he served as Mayor for 3 terms. He was proud of the projects they were able to accomplish during his term, including a new Police Station and new Firehouse. He also enjoyed working with many civic groups. Retirement gave him more time for his hobbies. He enjoyed painting and wood carving and he was a nationally known First Day Cover artist making thousands of hand painted covers. His covers are listed in the Scott's Stamp Catalogues.
Along with his wife and family, he loved the people of Milford and Delaware.
It was his wish that services wait until he is joined by his wife, so there will be no service at this time.