We remain available 24/7 to serve families. Call (480) 964-8686 to learn more.

David J. Hatch

11/06/1932 - 02/12/2018
Service Date: 02/17/2018
Service Time: 11:00 AM
Service Location: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Lazona Ward, 1345 E. University Drive, Mesa, AZ 85203
Interment: City of Mesa Cemetery, 1212 N. Center Street, Mesa, AZ 85201

David J. Hatch passed away at home with family the morning of Monday, February 12, 2018 ending a several year battle with metastatic pancreatic cancer. Dave was born November 6th, 1932 in Prescott, AZ to Charles J. Hatch and Irene Rogers Hatch, the fourth child of seven born to the couple. He and his siblings were reared in a life of work and adventure in Chino Valley. They lived on a family farm growing produce, alfalfa, corn, and livestock. Though born in the depths of the Great Depression he says they were sustained comfortably because of the farm production. As was customary at the time, he had many jobs while in his youth including herding and milking dairy cows, laboring in fields, driving tractors, bailing hay at local farms, and delivering milk.

While in high school Dave was an avid musician. He played the trumpet in orchestra and band while singing in chorus all four years. During his junior and senior years, he made the football and track team becoming first string offensive player and a leader in the quarter mile foot race. He graduated from Prescott High School in 1950 while serving in student body leadership and participating in national political programs.

Shortly after high school Dave then moved to Mesa to work at a family member’s tractor repair garage. It was during this time working in Mesa that Dave says he “met and fell in love with [his] sweetheart– a pretty, fun, redhead girl named Delcena (Delcie) Robson.” He often relived the courtship dances telling of how they “would whirl and twirl to the fast songs and snuggle to the slow ones.” The Korean War was active during that time and Dave, shortly after his engagement to Delcie, was notified of his draft into the United States Army. The couple then fast-tracked their wedding plans and were married in the Mesa, AZ LDS Temple on March 6th, 1953. He reported to the Infantry at Fort Ord, California on March 13th.

During his time at Fort Ord the Korean Armistice was signed and he was transferred to Germany, rather than Korea. He served in the Battalion Service Company Personnel department as a Clerk Typist. This was a skill few service men possessed, but he had learned while in high school. Delcena was able to join him in Germany. While there they enjoyed touring all through Europe, skiing the French Alps, and simply being together. His service in the U.S. Army ended in March of 1955. Dave earned the Army of Occupation Medal and the National Defense Service Medal in honor of his service.

Upon their return Dave and Delcie moved to Tucson, AZ. He enrolled in the University of Arizona College of Engineering where he graduated with a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering in June of 1959. Soon after graduation he was hired by Arizona Public Service where he worked as a Production Analyst, Results Engineer, Process Developer, Supply Manager, and ultimately Project Engineer of production units #2-4 at the still functional Cholla power plant in Joseph City, AZ. This long and steady career with APS would allow them to live in Mesa, Yuma, and Phoenix, AZ, as well as Farmington, NM. Dave and Delcie had a child in each of the five locations where they lived (including Tucson) to which Dave exclaimed, “We won’t move anymore!” After 30 years of dedication Dave retired from APS. He ultimately “wasn’t quite ready to quit work,” and subsequently continued to work in many industries doing many jobs. Dave’s last day of work before really retiring was February 10th 2018, just two days before his passing.

In his lifetime he enjoyed activity in, and was a faithful member of, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As LDS missions were halted during the Korean War, Dave faithfully served as a Stake Missionary proselytizing during the evenings after work. He has cheerfully dedicated time to serve as a member of the Bishopric, various teaching responsibilities, and many stake High Council callings. He freely bore testimony of the mission of his Savior Jesus Christ, and His gospel. Second only to the love of his Savior, was the love Dave had for his family. His love was shown in all he did as he presided, provided, and protected them throughout his life. His love will be felt and remembered forever.

Dave has been known for his gentle demeanor, forgiving nature, tolerance, and cheery disposition. He was loved dearly by his family and many friends. He was an example of hard work, industrious living, Christ-like love, and kindness.

He is survived by his dear wife Delcena Robson Hatch, his five children David Charles Hatch (Fayella), Sherie Lynn Kent (Lloyd), Dean Robson Hatch, Julie Hatch, and Kristen Durrant (Dan); fourteen grandchildren and twenty-two (soon to be twenty-five) great-grandchildren, as well as his brothers Darrell Hatch and Von Hatch.

Final services in Dave’s honor include a visitation service at Bunker’s University Chapel on Friday, February 16, 2018 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM (3529 E. University Dr., Mesa, AZ 85203). The funeral service will be held at the Lazona Ward LDS building (1345 E University Dr., Mesa, AZ 85203) on Saturday, February 17th, at 11:00 AM. Pre-funeral visitation time will be offered Saturday between 10:00 and 10:45 AM with a short family-only visitation from 10:45 to 11:00. Burial services will be held at the City of Mesa cemetery following the funeral service (1212 N Center St, Mesa, AZ 85201). All who knew Dave are invited to enjoy his remembrance and celebrate his life at these services held in his honor.

Condolences

  • WHAT A WONDERFUL TRIBUTE TO AN AMAZING MAN. WHAT A WONDERFUL LEGACY HE HAS LEFT BEHIND. HE WILL TRULY BE MISSED.

  • Dear Delcie and family,
    My heart goes out to you all at this difficult time. What a wonderful man your Dave is, your Dad, your Grandpa, your Uncle! May you be comforted and find peace during this temporary separation until you reunite again. With much sympathy and love,
    Nancy Wells

  • Dear Delcie & family,
    We love you & are praying for you during this difficult time. We are so grateful for your examples of Christlike love! We are thankful to have your darling Kristen in our family. She is such a wonderful person because of her great parents! Love, Vicki

  • Daniel W. Durrant

    Anyone who knew this great man, knew the standards and principles and truths he lived by. Many of those were encapsulated in one of his favorite scriptures Moroni 7:45-47. As you read these verses, you will recognize many of David J. Hatch’s personal qualities. Dave was possessed of all the following characteristics of Charity clear to the end of his mortal life. So what do we know? On the reliable word of Moroni, we know that things will be “well with him”.

    45 And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

    46 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail—

    47 But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.

  • Dwayne and Maurine Williams and family

    We are sorry for your loss. We love you and are praying for you to be comforted. Dwayne and Maurine Williams and family

  • My deep condolences to the Hatch family,
    I was really touched by the loss of your loved one. When a precious loved one falls asleep in death, it brings to mind God’s precious son Jesus. It is comforting to note how he viewed death. I would like to share it with you from the gift that the Most High God has given to each & everyone of us. His written word the Bible in the Book of John chapter 11 verses 11-14.
    Please, notice that Jesus viewed death as one Sleeping. He viewed death in such a comforting way. And, the Most High God promises that we can have the opportunity to see our loved ones again in perfect health (Psalms 83:18, Acts 24:15, & Isaiah 33:24). He even says where: Psalms 37:11 and for how long Psalms 37:29). I really hope that these promises were as comforting to you as they were to us when our daughter died and also when my precious husband of 50 years fell asleep in death.
    Written to you in deep sympathy,
    Sissy

Add Condolence

Call Now Button
We remain family owned, unlike our competitors. Click to learn more.