Danny Hatch

Danny Frank Hatch, 73, passed away Monday afternoon, August 12, 2024, surrounded by family and friends. Danny was born April 8, 1951 in McNary, Arizona.

Danny, in his younger years, enjoyed playing in Pierce's Orchard with his brother's and neighborhood friends. Another favorite past time was floating down Silver Creek. Danny participated in Snowflake High School Wrestling, Football and Western Club where he loved to rope. In High school Danny excelled in wrestling and received a wrestling scholarship to Rick's College. Following his freshman year in college he served a 2-year Mission in the Kentucky-Tennessee Area, where he helped bring many to the water's of Baptism and made life-long friends. After serving his mission he attended BYU pursuing an accounting degree. It was while at BYU that Danny met his eternal companion, Luanna Shaw, and was married in the Salt Lake Temple on April 24, 1973.

After his time at BYU he returned to Taylor, Arizona to help his father continue growing their family business, "Hatch Construction & Paving". In 1997 Danny established his own construction business, Hatchmark Industries, which he operated alongside his sons until 2008. In 2011 he accepted a position at Freeport McMoran in Safford Arizona where he worked until he retired in 2023.

In his retirement Danny enjoyed supporting his grandchildren by attending as many sporting events as possible. He loved to travel with his beautiful bride. They took many amazing trips including, a siblings cruise to Alaska, a Caribbean cruise celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary with his immediate family, as well as a siblings cruise to Hawaii this year.

Danny was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing (it was not uncommon for him to show up at the door asking someone to join him for an impromptu fishing trip!), as well as water sports and any ATV activities. Danny loved nothing more than to gather his family and friends for any outdoor camping adventure's where many memories were made and stories were told. Many memories were made around the campfire, reminiscing about all of his outdoor adventures and shenanigans. Boy Scouts was the perfect place for Danny to share his years of experience in outdoor survival, cooking skills as well as his love for leatherwork. Danny went on to gain his Private Pilot's License which brought great enjoyment to him and his family as well as numerous friends and acquaintances. Danny rarely turned down an opportunity to take people on a flying adventure. His most memorable flights were taking his father to the family ranch in Colorado.

Danny was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, in which he served in many callings such as Elder's Quorum President, 70's Group Leader, Stake Missionary, Stake Sunday School President, and Counselor in a Bishopric. But, his favorite and last calling was serving in the Nursery. Danny had a strong testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ that has continued on thru his family. He made it a priority to travel and support all the baptisms and ordinations of family and friends.

Danny is survived by his beloved wife, Luanna; 5 children: Danny Keith Hatch of Taylor, Arizona, Sharnell McLafferty of Tucson, Arizona, Luke (Summer) Hatch of Prince George, Canada, Matthew (Gena) Hatch of Snowflake, Arizona, Clinton (Jeni) Hatch of Lehi, Utah; 26 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild; brothers, Lynn and Lenn Hatch; and a host of extended family members and friends.

Danny is preceded in death by parents, Sheldon Grant Hatch and Irene Gardner Hatch; siblings, Sherene Hatch, Doris Hatch, Sheldon R. Hatch(Ray), and Jerald L. Hatch; his loving son, Derrick Preston Hatch; granddaughter, Evangeline Hatch (Eve), and grandson Jacob Hatch.

The public visitation for Danny will be Friday, August 16, 2024 at 10:00 am with the funeral services at 11:00 am at the Centennial Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 880 Centennial Blvd., Taylor, Arizona 85939. 

The concluding service and interment will immediately follow at the Reed Hatch Memorial Cemetery in Taylor, Arizona.

There will be a Zoom broadcast: Centennial 5th Ward: Meeting ID 949 095 9261 Passcode: 096356