Claude Arthur Hatch

Claude Arthur Hatch, 97, was recieved into the heavenly Father's loving arms on April 23, 2010, at San Juan Regional Medical Center in Farmington. He passed with his daughters, Myrtle and Rachel vigilantly standing by his side. Claude was born on Oct. 21, 1912 in Fruitland, NM to Joseph Wilford Hatch Sr.and Leila Kirk Hatch. He lived his whole life in the four corners region. Claude worked as a trader at various trading posts , building and establishing them. He and two of his brothers took over his father's trading buisness in Fruitland where he settled and finally retired. Claude was a tireless explorer and historian for the peoples of this region. He assisted in establishing the existance of the Southern San Juan Paiute Tribe. Claude was inducted into the US Army in 1941 and became of the 200th Coast Artillery Headquarters Battery 2nd Battalion. He was serving in the Philippines at the time of his capture by the Japanese forces, invading the area in April 1942. He survived the Bataan Death March and went on to survive 1032 days in captivity under torturous conditions as a prisoner of war. Claude was later awarded the Bronze Star for Valor and many other Military awards and medals. Claude was preceded in death by his parents and his older sister, Leila Myrtle Ashcroft and seven brothers; Joseph Wilford Hatch, Jr., Ira Hatch, Clarence Hatch, Philander L. Hatch, Leonard B. Hatch, Calvin Hatch, William V. Hatch, and his son David Andrew Hatch. Claude is survived by his wife of 50 years Virginia H. Hatch, daughters Myrtle Lelia Hatch, Rachel Hatch, Nora Hatch and Michael Hatch and his best friend and younger brother Stewart Hatch and numerous grandchildren, nieces and nephews. A viewing will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, The Stake Center, 10 RD 6523, Kirtland, NM.; Services will follow at 1:00 P.M. Interment will immediately follow at the Kirtland-Fruitland Cemetery in Kirtland, NM.