LOA — On the late quiet evening of Jan. 30, 2023, at the Monroe Canyon Assisted Living in Monroe, our father, grandfather, friend and brother, Dee Barlow Hatch, quietly passed through heaven’s door and into the arms of so many who loved him.

Dee, age 103, was born Oct. 1, 1919, in Koosharem to Irma Durrett Johnson and John Henry Hatch. He was the fourth of seven children, including five brothers and one sister. Dad grew up in very humble circumstances where he learned to work hard and understood his obligations to support family. He was always in awe of living life from the horse and buggy days to that of spaceships and modern communication.

His early childhood years included herding the town milk cows at the age of 9 years old and continued to always have a job to help support his family. He loved his childhood friends and would walk seven miles to go play with them. He learned great patience during these years. He always mourned the loss of his brother, Morris, who died at age 14. Dad loved working alongside his brothers cutting lumber, and enjoyed any challenge placed before him. Dad graduated from North Sevier High School where he and his cousin Ellis supported themselves by working in the sugar beet fields.

Dad was one of the first young men from Koosharem to join the army prior to the US involvement in World War II. He spent the next five years serving in the Hawaiian and Philippine Islands. Dad was trained specifically in Morse Code in the communications section and a forward observer and was honored with a Bronze Star for his heroic service. He spent the remainder of his life in patriotic service as a dedicated veteran.

Dee married Berneal Nelson April 19, 1946, in the Manti temple. They made their home in Loa where they lived together for 69 years. They were blessed with five daughters and one son. Dad and Mom were examples to our family of how to work hard and play hard. The love that Grandpa and Grandma showed each other will be forever engraved in our minds and will always be an example of the way we should live our lives. Dad worked for Garkane Power Company for about 34 years and made lifelong friends. He made lifelong friends in all walks of his life wherever he went. He retired in 1984. Dad and Mom bought property in Caineville, an hour away from their home so they could grow and harvest their “Garden of Weedin.” They loved to grow watermelon, cantaloupe, tomatoes, cucumbers, and fruit from their orchard. One of their greatest pleasures was sharing their truckloads of produce with their many family and friends.

Dee was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served faithfully in many positions. He loved his eternal family and up until the day he passed away he asked about the welfare of each of his children and grandchildren. Dad also served the Loa Community with faithful dedication.

Dee is survived by his children, Dave Johnson, Orem; Bob and Susan Bagley, Aurora; Doug and Carol Ann Robinson, Torrey; Dennis and Maridee Hiskey, Teasdale; Larry and Janae Blake, Richfield; and Chris and Linda Hatch, St. George. He is also survived by 24 grandchildren and their spouses, and 88 great grandchildren and spouses, and 7 great-great grandchildren. A grand posterity of 162. He is also survived by a brother-in-law, Thad Torgerson.

He is preceded in death by his wife and sweetheart, Berneal; daughter, Yvonne Johnson; great-grand daughter, Taylor Okerlund; great-grandson, Xavier Hatch; parents, John and Irma Hatch; brothers, Chester, Lloyd, Morris, Zane and Gordon; and sister, Cleola Torgerson.

Funeral services will be held in Loa, Monday, Feb. 6 at noon. Friends may call for the viewing on Sunday evening at Springer Turner Funeral Home in Richfield from 6 to 8 p.m., and prior to the funeral on Monday morning from 10 to 11:30 a.m., at the Loa stake center.

Burial with military honors accorded by the Harold Brown American Legion Post #92 and the Utah Honor Guard will be in the Koosharem City Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Homes of Richfield and Salina.

The family wishes to express their gratitude for the many medical providers and caregivers overseeing Dee’s care over the past years. Thank you to Monroe Canyon Assisted Living staff, Wayne Community Health Center providers, Jason Okerlund NP, and Gunnison Home Health and Hospice caregivers. Your kindness to dad went above and beyond such expert caring and concern.

Online guestbook and livestreaming of the services will be found at springerturner.com below Dee’s obituary.