While James was serving his mission in Kirtland New Mexico (about ten minutes from Farmington), he met Brother Claude Hatch. Brother Hatch and his family have always been very kind to James and our family. They have cooked us the traditional Navajo dinner on occasion, given us many tours of their land (which contain ancient Indian Ruins), and have made us many traditional Navajo gifts. Their kindness has been boundless.
Brother Hatch has always been a quite man, but a man with many stories. Brother Hatch was a survivor of the Bataan Death March in World War II. He was held as a prisoner of war for nearly four years. When he returned to the United States, he met his wife (Virgina a wonderful Navajo lady), and they had four children: Nora, Rachel, Myrtle, and Michael. James was lucky to be able to baptize Michael in the San Juan River while he was on his mission.
Our children have been able to get to know the Hatch Family over the years. It was very special to them to be able to go and visit Brother Hatch in the hospital, one by one, with their Dad. Brother Hatch recognize each of them. It was even more special to our children to be asked to sing at his funeral. They sang "I am a child of God" with Brother Hatches' grandchildren. It was a sweet experience to see our little white eyes singing with the little Navajo and Ute children and knowing that we are all children of our Heavenly Father irregardless of where we come fom!!!
Brother Hatch passed away April 23, 2010 at the age of 97. He was a great man, and will truly be missed. It was an honor to call him a friend.