Derrick Preston Hatch

Derrick Preston Hatch died late Saturday night, July 5, 2014 from injuries he received in a car accident the week before. He was 28 years old. Derrick was born on November 7, 1985 in the family car in the parking lot of Desert Samaritan Hospital in Mesa. His parents are Danny Frank and Luanna (Shaw) Hatch. Since he was a little boy, Derrick possessed an abundance of energy that was animated so much, few people could keep up with him. He looked for the joy in life and found that any activity outside, was for him. Riding quads was one of his favorite outdoor activities. He also worked during the winter months as a snowboarding instructor at Sunrise Ski Resort in the White Mountains. Derrick loved camping, hunting and fishing with his family. While camping with his family, Derrick learned how to be the camp "cookie" and loved to make meals for them in the great-out-of-doors. Everything he made, whether in dutch ovens or tin foil, was delicious and fit for a king. During the last camping trip that his grandpa was able to go on, Derrick took the best of care that any grandpa could ever hope for. He volunteered to stay at camp with his grandpa and care for his needs while everyone else went out to enjoy a successful hunt. He had a way about him that instantly made people feel good and was able to light up any room just by entering it. He was fun to be around and was greatly loved by his family and friends. He was adored by his many nieces and nephews and he loved them all so very much. He was the most fun uncle anyone could have. As a child, Derrick learned the value of hard work. He was a loving and loyal son to his parents. He never said "No" to his father when asked to do something, no matter how difficult. Derrick was very involved with the Boy Scouts of America and, at the age of 14, he received his Eagle Scout; an honor that made his family very proud. Derrick was a natural born athlete. During high school, Derrick was a popular student and was a great wrestler, winning countless matches. He also was a member of the Lobo Varsity Football Team for a few years and helped to make them the champions that they are. He was a member of Snowflake High School's graduating Class of 2004. Derrick is survived by his parents: Danny & Luanna of Taylor, Arizona; 5 siblings: Danny K. (Audria) Hatch of Safford, Arizona, Sharnell (Joe) McLafferty of Tucson, Arizona, Luke (Summer) Hatch of Prince George, Canada, Matthew (Janiel) Hatch of Eagar, Arizona, Clinton (Jeni) Hatch of Seoul, South Korea; 22 nieces and nephews as well as a host of extended family members and close friends. He was preceded in death by his grandparents: Sheldon & Irene Hatch, Ferris & Elaine Shaw and by a niece, Evangaline Hatch. The public visitation for Derrick will be 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., Friday, July 11, 2014 at the Love Lake Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 700 E. Love Lake Road in Taylor, Arizona. The funeral service will begin 11:00 A.M., Saturday, July 12, 2014 and will be held at the Love Lake Chapel, where additional visitation will begin 1 hour prior. The concluding service and interment will immediately follow at the Reed Hatch Memorial Cemetery in Taylor, Arizona.