Lloyd A. Hatch

Lloyd A. Hatch passed away with family at his side at the age of 84 in the Salt Lake City VA Hospital on Tuesday, November 24, 2015 after receiving the best care possible from an incredibly talented and caring medical team. He was born on July 18, 1931 in Vernal, Utah as Abraham and Ella Elizabeth Hatch's third child. He spent most of his first 30 years on the family cattle and hay ranch on Willow Creek, Utah in the Book Cliffs area where he farmed a total of up to 800 acres. He graduated from Uintah High School in 1950 and attended Utah State University in Logan, Utah for three years. Lloyd married Raema Adams on July 1, 1953 in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple. He received his draft notice from the Army on the same day and left within one month. He was trained in International Morse Code and Radio Operations and was assigned to communications in the Headquarters Company in Germany. After his release from the Army, he and Raema returned to the ranch on Willow Creek to farm in partnership with his dad. In May of 1963, he sold the ranch and moved to Vernal. He then, partnered with his brother-in-law, Cal Dee Reynolds, in a grocery store in Maeser called Country Cash. In 1971, he sold his share and opened Lloyd's Shoes, which he maintained for fourteen years. Lloyd loved his customers and loved fitting shoes to their needs. During the economic downturn of the 1980's, he sold his own business and managed the shoe department for Christensen's Department Store. During these years, he also drove a school bus and eventually worked in the maintenance department for the Uintah School District. He retired from bus driving in June 2000 after, in his words, "driving those little angels" to and from school for 22 years. Lloyd was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints where he served with great devotion through the years in callings such as a counselor in the Elder's Quorum, a counselor in Young Men's, a Sunday School president, a counselor to two bishops, an executive secretary to two stake presidents, a High Priest group leader, a stake missionary twice, including a calling in the Dutch John Ward, and as an ordinance worker in the Vernal LDS Temple for thirteen years. He and Raema served a one year genealogical mission in Salt Lake City from May 2001- May 2002, which allowed them to experience the 2002 Winter Olympics. Lloyd gave his whole heart to his family including his wife, children, grandchildren, and siblings. Aside from his family, his hobbies included fishing, and he especially took great pride in growing a large garden each summer from which he lovingly shared "his produce" with his family and neighbors. Lloyd is tenderly remembered for his patience and kindness toward others and his contagious laugh and sense of humor. He knew how to work hard and often expressed his joy through whistling a tune as he worked that could be heard from anyone nearby. Lloyd is survived by his wife, Raema Adams Hatch, and children: Marla (Tim) McDonald, of St. George, Utah; Greg (Bobbie) Hatch, of Durant, Oklahoma; Kim (Mark) Scharman, of Salt Lake City, Utah; Suzanne (Devin) Bailey, of Vernal; and Lori (Scott) Hardman, of Vernal; 12 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; siblings: Mabel Wall, Bobbie Mott Bagley, both of Vernal, and Raymond Hatch of Salt Lake City, Utah. He is preceded in death by parents and sister, Betty Jane Murray and brothers-in-law, Jay Anderson, Terry Adams, and Warren Mott. Funeral services for Lloyd Hatch age 84, of Vernal, husband of Raema Adams Hatch will be conducted on Saturday, November 28, 2015 at 11:00 am at the Maeser 4th Ward LDS Chapel (2575 North 1500 West). A viewing will be Friday 6:00-8:00 pm at the Blackburn Vernal Mortuary and Saturday at the Church from 9:45-10:45 am prior to services. Burial will be in Maeser Fairview Cemetery, with Military Honors provided by American Legion and Utah National Guard. Under the direction of the Blackburn Vernal Mortuary.