Dell Hatch

Obituary for
Dell Fearnley Hatch

In Memory of
Dell Fearnley Hatch

Dell passed away peacefully on April 25, 2016 at the age of 79. He was born February 19, 1937 in Centerville, Utah. He was the tenth of eleven children born to Spencer and Edith Hatch. He had 6 brothers (2 surviving, Rulon and Howard) and 4 sisters (1 surviving, Barbara). Dell grew up in a large and happy home. He loved and admired all of his brothers and sisters who have always remained close.

Dell earned a scholarship to both Brigham Young University and the University of Utah, while serving in the Utah National Guard, when he was drafted into the U.S. Army. He served for two years and was stationed in Berlin, Germany. He taught surveying and was on the U.S. Army Pistol Team. In competition the U.S. team beat all the other allies. He enjoyed his service and was admired so much that he was invited to Officer Candidate School. He chose instead to return to the states where he attended several semesters of college in both California and Utah at BYU.

Dell was a self-proclaimed wanderer, a jack-of-all-trades, and a seeker of knowledge. He was interested in everything, tried to do as many things as he could and moved restlessly from one place to another for most of his life. He started in construction and then served as a fireman in Newport Beach, California for 5 years. He became more and more interested in real estate which he continued in for the rest of his life. Dell was an entrepreneur and started several successful businesses. He obtained his private pilot’s license and loved flying, skiing, and boating with his family. Life with Dell was many things, but it was never dull. Dell was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, serving in many callings, including Bishop.

On June 9, 1966, Dell married the love of his life, Joan Merry Lehman for time and all eternity in the Los Angeles temple. They would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in June of this year. He was a loving and devoted father to seven children. Surviving children are: Corey (Colleen) Hatch and Michele (Frank) Peterson (Children of former spouse Doris Wasielewski .) Ransom (Krissy) Hatch, Derek (Heidi) Hatch and Brandon (Erica) Hatch. He was preceded in death and welcomed home by two daughters, Tamara and Ann Marie. His posterity includes 19 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 14th at 1:00 PM at the Nelson Family Mortuary, 4780 N University Avenue, Provo, Utah.

The family would like to give special thanks to Four Corners Regional Care Center for the special care and comfort shown to Dell.