Hatch Howard

David Hatch Howard
1926-2012

David Hatch Howard, our beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and a dear friend to all, was finally able to reunite with his sweetheart on June 27, 2012 due to complications from a heart attack.
Hatch, as he was known to his friends, was born on April 20, 1926 in Salt Lake City to David E. Howard and Lillian Hatch Howard and was raised in Woods Cross, Utah. He was a great delight to his two older sisters, Sarah and Della, and to his younger sister, Ila, who all affectionately called him “Bud”.
He served a full-time mission in Hemet, California, where he was without purse or scrip for several months. His love for the people of Hemet continued throughout his entire life, especially his close relationship with the Holmes and Dover families.
He married his best friend and eternal partner, June Noble Howard, in the Salt Lake City Temple on August 21, 1952.
He served in the Korean War and was grateful to return home to his sweetheart and settle in Woods Cross where they lived all of their lives. Their children include: the late Steve Howard (Holly and Gary Christley), Erda, Utah; Cathy (Ted) Bubert, Long Beach, California; JaNae (Sunnie) Titmus, Grantsville, Utah; Ann (Chad) Edgington, Fruit Heights, Utah; Tonya (Dave) Boswell, West Bountiful, Utah; Sam (Mindy) Wilson, Bountiful, Utah; and Kristana Imvitaya, Woods Cross, Utah.
Hatch and June were the most kind, loving, and generous people anyone could ever have the privilege of knowing. They opened their home to many foster children including Aiko Okamura, Donald Yazzie, and Richard Smith who were just as much their children as their own. Their generosity blessed everyone who knew them and there is no way to count the number of lives they touched and influenced.
Hatch had many great loves in his life. Although his wife and children always came first, he had a strong love for his life-long profession, passed down from generation to generation, of sheep ranching. He was an active member of the Utah Wool Growers Association, and served as vice president and president of that organization. Later, he served as the director of the National Wool Growers organization. In 2005, he was recognized as Utah Wool Growers Sheepman of the Year. His home away from home was his ranch in Wahsatch.
Another great joy in his life was his opportunity to serve the Lord in anything he was asked to do. He served as a bishop of the South Davis 1st Ward. Following a calling as a high councilor, he then served as stake president for six years in the Bountiful East stake. Following that, he served another seven years as the stake president of the Woods Cross stake. In May of 1978, he was called to be a sealer in the Salt Lake City Temple where he served until the Bountiful Temple was built, where he worked until May of this year. In 1986, he was put into the Salt Lake City Temple presidency and served there for nine years. In that same year, he was made a stake patriarch for the Woods Cross Utah Stake where he served faithfully until his passing. Of course, he was a diligent home teacher who cared about the families he taught until the very end. He realized that no calling was too small.
One of his biggest legacies is his complete testimony and love for his Savior Jesus Christ and the sacrifice He made for all of us. Because of Him we have a true knowledge that Hatch has been reunited with those he loved who preceded him in death, including his parents, his wife, his son, Steve, and his grandson, Britton.
We know that he would want anyone whose life was touched by his not to praise him but to give all they can to the Lord and live a life pleasing to God. This would be the best way to honor his name.
Because of his deep love for the temple, if you desire to contribute, in lieu of flowers please contribute to the Temple Patron Assistance Fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Funeral services will be held Monday, July 2, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. in the Woods Cross North Stake Center, 1509 West 1500 South, Woods Cross, Utah. Friends and family may call Sunday evening from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at Russon Brothers Mortuary, 295 North Main, Bountiful, Utah and Monday at the Church 9:00-10:30 a.m. prior to services. Interment – Bountiful City Cemetery.