Harvey “Jake” Hyatt, 83, of Bryson City, left his earthly home on July 22, 2021. Jake was best known for his gift of gardening, for his dedication to the Swain County Democratic Party, and for his love of the Smoky Mountains he called home for most of his 83 years.
Jake was a graduate of Western Carolina College (now WCU) and of the University of Tennessee, where he received his Master of Social Work degree. After completing his education, Jake served as a social worker for Job Corps and at Cherokee High School, before serving 14 years as the director of social services for Swain County.
He was a member of the Bryson City United Methodist Church and a former member of the Board of Trustees of Southwestern Community College.
Jake was the son of the late Frank Albert Hyatt, Sr. and Oberia Wild Hyatt, and was a loving and devoted husband to his wife Virginia Jenkins Hyatt.
In addition to his parents, Jake was preceded in death by a daughter, Lea Ann Jenkins, and niece, Connie Hyatt. He is survived by his wife, Virginia; his brother, Frank A. Hyatt, Jr.; his daughter and son-in-law, Samantha Hyatt Cabe and Drew Cabe of Chapel Hill, NC and their sons Ryan and Cooper; his sons Jerry Lee Hyatt of Cherokee, and Jerry Dean Jenkins of Bryson City; and his nieces and nephew Kathy Hyatt Dugan, Susan Hyatt Call, and Jeff Hyatt and their families.
The family will have a private memorial to honor Jake’s life.
Memorial donations may be made to any charity of one’s choosing, or to any Ronald McDonald House, due to the love and support that organization bestowed upon Jake’s wife Virginia and daughter Lea Ann for many years.