Bruce Alan Hatch
Bruce Alan Hatch, age 72, died Saturday, June 19, 2021, at his home in Logandale, Nevada with his wife and children at his side. He was born in Panguitch, Utah to Millard Ellis and “Mamie” Tebbs Hatch. In the fall of 1974 he married the love of his life, his wife of 45 years, Jolene Hammond.
Bruce grew up working on his father’s farm, fishing on Panguitch Lake, and hunting in the mountains. In high school Bruce answered to “Zote”, loved basketball and pole-vaulting, and served as student body president. Bruce then attended Southern Utah State College where he rode bulls, worked three jobs, and rarely attended class. Bruce put his education on hold for two years when he received a call to serve in the Great Lakes Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. When Bruce returned to Cedar City he served as president of the rodeo club, chased Jolene full-time, and—miraculously—graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in education.
Upon graduation, Bruce taught elementary school in Dyer and Pahrump, Nevada before settling with Jolene in Logandale where he continued teaching for 31 years. When Bruce finished teaching for the day, he could be found shoeing horses, training horses, riding horses, team roping on horses, or talking about horses. In Logandale, Bruce raised two distractingly handsome sons with whom he loved to spend time fishing, hunting, camping, water-skiing, playing basketball, or, most often, working. Bruce dearly loved his wife, his children, his grandchildren, his brothers and sisters, and his cherished friends—some new and some old. But above all, Bruce loved the Lord and demonstrated that love through countless acts of faithful service.
Bruce is survived by his wife Jolene; two sons: Jason and Justin; seven grandchildren; and four siblings: Mark, Mamie, Claude, and Lida. He was preceded in death by his son, Ryan Harold, and four siblings: Wendell, Lyle, Norma, and Carvel.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 26, 2021 at 10 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Hinckley Chapel, Logandale, Nevada. Visitation will be Friday, June 25, 2021 from 6-8 p.m. at the Moapa Valley Mortuary and again from 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. prior to services at the chapel.
Friends and family are invited to sign an online guest book at www.moapavalleymortuary.com.
5 thoughts on “OBITUARY: Bruce Alan Hatch”
The world will be miss a great human being. Hard to find a guy who can keep you laughing and fillet a trout.
My heart aches for Joleen and the boys.
Love you Bruce
Jolene, Jason and Justin,
I just heard about Bruce passing this morning. Our hearts are forever filled with the smile of the cowboy from Panguitch Utah. My the Holy Ghost Truly act as the comforter to all of you as peace can only truly come through the spirit . Love all of you and will forever cherish the years we spent on Navajo Ave. as your neighbors.
Bret Staley and Family
I have not seen Bruce since he retired from teaching. What a great guy and mentor. What I remember the most is what a truly nice person he was who was always willing to help anyone. I also remember how fun it was to work with him. All the “Dr. Phil” stories. Being called “Cecil B. DeVallet” whenever I showed my class a movie. His chiding of the CCSD maintenance crew for taking TWO YEARS (??!!) to fix the wall in the men’s bathroom in the teacher’s lunch room (“I could do it in one Saturday for 100 bucks”) Him telling us he was gonna be a “poolboy” after he retired. Waving his ubiquitous lunchtime bologna sandwich in the air with that you-know-he’s kidding grin as he teased someone. The way he spoke. (“Ol Bobby, I don’t know what he was thinking”, and “You know, if you just thought before you opened your mouth”, and “You know, class around here starts whenever the boss says it does”) He started so many sentence with, “I told Jolene…” We missed him a lot when he left and I never told him. Bruce was a great teacher and an even better human being. I hope that I deserve to meet him again because that would really be great news for me.
I just heard about Bruce passing today. I worked with Bruce for many many years at Grant Bowler Elementary School. He was a great teacher and friend. At the start of most school years we would have a contest to see who could lose the most weight. We both claimed to be the winner every year. I also enjoyed striper fishing with him. He usually caught enough to feed everyone. My sympathy to Jolene and family.
I just learned of Bruce’s passing. We were in the rodeo club together and hexwas like my big brother. Jolene I remember when you got married. So sorry for your loss. He was one great guy.