Sheriff D. "Joe" Hataway

Our website and our entire storm chasing efforts are dedicated to the memory of my Uncle “Smokey” Joe Hataway who was the Sheriff of Ochiltree County for 27 years until he retired in 2007. One summer when I was 15 years old I stayed the summer in Perryton with Joe and my cousin Jason who was also my age. I remember that I was 15 years old because my parents wouldn’t let me have a bb gun until I was 15, and I had disassembled the bb gun to hide it in my suitcase since they wouldn’t let me take it to Joe’s house with me. One afternoon that summer, my cousin Jason was at baseball practice and for whatever reason I didn’t go with him—probably because I was being a shithead if you asked Joe. Anyhow, I was riding with Joe to pick Jason up from practice when he responded to a dispatch call for severe weather. I recall riding down bumpy dirt roads in heavy rain with little visibility, at what seemed like ninety miles an hour (probably wasn’t that fast) and what I recall as watermelon size hail. It was probably more like half dollars, but my heart was racing, and I must admit that I was scared but enthralled and mesmerized at the same time. I don’t think there was any tornadic activity, but I do recall some downed tree branches and Joe’s car did have some hail damage. My first tornado experience was in Lakin Kansas when I was about 5 or 6 years old, but my first official storm chase was with my Uncle Joe and I will never forget the experience, nor I will never forget Joe who has inspired my life and my family’s storm chasing hobby. I only hope that when my life has ended, those who knew me will remember me with a portion of the fond memories that everyone who knew Joe have expressed.

This website was created specifically for my mother, Coleen Seright. For years now, every time Mom has seen reports of severe weather on the weather channel, wherever she has lived, whether she was in Florida, New Mexico, or Arkansas, she has called to see where we are and what we are doing and if we are safe. Mom worries about us, and I appreciate that. It’s nice to have someone to worry about you. Now, with this website, Mom can navigate to our page and see exactly where we are, what we are doing, how fast we are going and hopefully be reassured that we are safe. We love you Mom, thanks for caring—and worrying!

I also want to thank James Hiers, KE5WRT, for encouraging me and my family to become involved in amateur radio. Prior to James’ encouragement, I had no interest in ham radio. We listened to the hams on a police scanner while we were storm chasing but we didn’t really know anything about it. Thanks to James, we have met many new friends and have become more involved in the community through programs such as SKYWARN, ARES, and PARC. In our day job in which we work together, James considers me as his mentor. In the hobby of amateur radio, I consider him as my mentor and true friend.