Stephan LaVor Hatch

On June 20, 2024, Stephan LaVor Hatch passed away peacefully, with his bride of 57 years by his side. He was born to Elva McBride and LaVor Joseph Hatch on July 22, 1945 in Logan Utah. He came from humble beginnings and was taught early in life the value of working hard, responsibility, and determination. He was the oldest of 7 boys, and he dearly loved his younger brothers, Wade, Darren, Doug, Owen, Kent and Blake. Growing up, he lived in Hyrum, Utah; Pingree, Idaho; and River Heights, Utah. He learned to love the outdoors and animals as he spent most of his time there. His parents started the first 4-H chapter in Utah, where his love for plant identification first sparked. In his teenage years, he also developed a passion for running, and he was a great runner, even setting a state record in Utah during high school. He was offered a full-track scholarship to Utah State upon graduation.

Dad met his future bride when he was a senior in high school, and Mom was a freshman. They continued dating while Dad was in college and Mom was finishing high school. On her birthday in her senior year, Dad proposed to her, and they were married on July 7, 1967, in the Logan LDS temple for time and all eternity. Together, they brought seven wonderful children into the world: four daughters and three sons. Stephanie (Paul) Merrill of St. George Utah, Jocelynn (Kyle) Smith of Paradise Utah, Sherrie (Brian) Ellis of Hyde Park Utah, Shayne (Jennifer) Hatch, Missouri City Texas, Jennifer (Bryce) Douglas of Smithfield Utah, Sean (Kellye) Hatch of Spring Texas, and Tyler (Myriah) Hatch of Tomball Texas.

Dad loved his country, and he served in the National guard from 1963 to 1969. Education was also important to our dad. He graduated with his Bachelors in Range Science from Utah State University in 1970. In 1971, he finished his Masters at Utah State University in Botany. He moved our family to College Station, Texas, to attend Texas A&M University, where he got his PhD in Taxonomy. After receiving his doctorate, we moved to Las Cruces, New Mexico, where Dad was hired as a New Mexico State University professor. After spending three years in New Mexico, Texas A&M wanted Dad back and offered him a job as a professor of Range Science and curator of S.M. Tracy herbarium. He taught at Texas A&M for 37 years. Dad wrote several books and was considered the best in his field for many years. He loved his job, he loved his students and he loved being an Aggie. Our parents lived in College Station until dad’s health started to decline, and they moved to Hyde Park, Utah in the spring of 2022. 

 Dad had a heart of gold; he truly cared about and connected to others. He had a clear vision of what mattered most in life…God and family. Dad was a loyal, committed husband to our mother; he showed us by example what a good husband and father looked like. Dad’s greatest devotion was to his Heavenly Father. He loved serving in Church leadership and often testified of the Savior’s tangible love, joy, and hope that can be experienced when we draw close to our Savior. Dad had a tender spot for the youth. He knew not only their names but also their interests, hopes, and struggles; he took the time to meet them where they were in life. He spent many years coaching his daughter's softball teams and was highly involved in the Scouting program through his church and the community. He was awarded the Silver Beaver for extensive service to the Scouting program. 

Dad always took opportunities to share his love of Jesus Christ both informally and formally. His dream of serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints came true in 2017 when, together, he and Mom, served in St. George, Utah. Here they devoted 18 months to sharing the gospel at the St. George Temple Visitor’s Center, as well as church historical sites in the area. Dad especially loved teaching at the Jacob Hamblin Home. 

 Upon returning to Texas, they again chose to serve an 8 month mission working with the Young Single Adult congregation and the Institute Program in College Station. Dad found great joy in teaching others about their Savior. 

As his children, we feel blessed and honored to call him our dad. He truly was one of the good ones, and his legacy will live on in each of us. Despite his struggles with dementia, Dad had moments of complete clarity. He often got choked up and through his tears, testified saying, “Heavenly Father has been so so good to us!” We believe this was his parting message to us…that our Savior’s hands are continuously outstretched towards us…that we may have a more abundant life.

Stephan is survived by his wife, NoraLee Cooper Hatch, the above-mentioned brothers, seven children, 28 grandchildren, and 19 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lavor and Elva Hatch, and a brother, Doug Hatch.

An evening viewing will be held on Monday, July 1, 2024, from 6:00 - 8:00 pm at White Pine Mortuary, 753 South 100 East Logan, Utah. The funeral service will be held Tuesday, July 2, 2024, at noon at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Chapel, 480 North 100 West, Hyde Park Utah. An additional viewing will be held prior to the funeral from 10:30 – 11:30 am.

As a family, we would like to thank all of our family, friends, neighbors, and members of the Greystone ward, who have selflessly served our dad over the past two years. We would also like to thank Chelsea Morton, our hospice nurse, who is an angel on earth. Dad was a resident of Autumn Care over the past three months, and we want to express our gratitude for the compassion and care they gave to our dad as well.

Stephan's funeral service can be viewed via Zoom at: CLICK HERE TO WATCH SERVICE VIA ZOOM