George W. Hatch

I died 10 January 2024 because I was old (95) and tired. I got this idea of writing my own obituary from my good friend, Tom Atkin. If you expected to see your name in this obituary and it wasn't listed, please don't feel offended because there are many that are significant to me, and cost is a harsh editor.

I was born to Elsie May Gooch and Daniel George Hatch on 22 February 1928, in Oxford, Idaho. My birthdate resulted in my having the given name of George Washington. After I recovered from the embarrassment of such a prominent name, I became honored to be born on the birthday of "The Father of Our Country."

I attended primary and secondary schools with fellow residents of Oxford and nearby communities. I served a two-year Southwest Indian Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, headquartered in Gallup, New Mexico. I graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering (1958) and a Masters in Organizational Communications (1982).

While serving in the US Army in Anchorage, Alaska, I met a school teacher named Carol Hansen. Ultimately, I asked her to marry me and upon returning from Alaska we were married in the Salt Lake Temple on 2 September 1953. Our six children were born while I was attending BYU and shortly thereafter: Evelyn Cahoon (Mike–deceased), Diane, Daniel George (Callie), Amy Russell (Tom), Kenneth Hansen (Marie), and Phillip Owen (Lisa).

My employment consisted of me being a "telephone man." I started work out of college for the Bell System. I worked for them for more than thirty-two years. I experienced the breakup of the Bell System. In my employment with them, I lived in Salt Lake City, Utah (twice), Denver, Colorado (twice) and Summit, New Jersey (New York City). I retired in December 1989. I have been a resident of Stansbury Park since 1999.

All my brothers and sisters are deceased except Paul (Carol) of Pasco, Washington. I am survived by my six children and their families–18 grandchildren and 32 great grandchildren. My wife, Carol, died on 25 February 1988. I married Marie Park Evans in November of that year. We traveled a lot; served an Inner-city mission in Salt Lake City and a Utah State Prison Mission. Marie opted to be independent and arranged a divorce in February 2004.

My Home Teacher was instrumental in my meeting his mother-in-law, Clarine Gunderson Davies, and I married her 1 November 2005. Clarine, an unselfish angel, made my life complete and happy again and her large family became mine. She died on 7 April 2013.

One of the great satisfactions of my life was serving as an ordinance worker in the Salt Lake Temple for over twenty-five years. For many years I served in the Utah Society of Professional Engineers, holding every office including President. One year they honored me as The Utah Engineer of the Year (1988).

George Hatch traveled extensively in his later life including a pre-planned trip to China in 2013 after Clarine’s death. He was without guile and lived a long life of consistency, diligence, and service. He loved his Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and followed them with dedication.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, 17 January 2024, 11:00 am in the Captain's Island Ward Chapel, 5899 Bayshore Drive, Stansbury Park, Utah 84074. Viewing will begin one and a half hours prior to the services. Interment will be in the Oxford, Idaho cemetery on 18 January 2024. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Humanitarian Services.