Keith Erin Hatcher June 19, 1961 ~ June 20, 2024

On the evening of June 20, 2024, Keith Erin Hatcher loyal son, brother, friend, husband, father & grandfather and a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ took his final walk through the fields of his Ethel, Missouri farm – the place that was his heaven on earth.  Keith was surrounded by the animals he loved when he returned home to his Father in Heaven.
Born on June 19, 1961, in Tacoma, WA to Guy Douglas Hatcher and Martha Jean Younger, Keith was the 7th of 13 children.  
Raised on farms in Washington and Alaska, Keith was no stranger to hard work.  He often spoke about the chores and heavy lifting he did as a child, crediting his lifelong work ethic and strength to being a like-minded farmer’s son.  Keith also enjoyed baking – especially sweets, a love he shared with his beloved Mother.
At the age of 10, Keith’s family sought out a place of worship where family was foremost and found The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  Although Keith joined his family in baptism at that time, his conversion came later.  In his own words,
“My true conversion came years later while living in Federal Way, WA at the age of 19. I had come to that point in my life that most people come to at one time or another, sort of a crossroads where I needed to choose a direction in life. In order to do this, I first needed to know for myself if the church was true. My bishop counseled me to read the scriptures, attend my meetings and pray in order to put it to the test. I did these things and paid my tithing, too. One evening while lying on my bed, reading the Book of Mormon I was suddenly overjoyed with a sure knowledge that it was all true. I jumped off my bed and jumped into the air and said out-loud, “it’s true, it’s all true!”  
From that moment on Keith testified of Christ, first serving as His witness in the Billings Montana Mission and then living his life as a true disciple, always striving to have his will aligned with that of his Father in Heaven.
Loving all things living – chickens, kids, and children, Keith was the proud father of 10 children and the loving grandfather to 17 who call him “Grandpa Keith.”  He was a tender farmer of more animals and varieties than we dare to count; the animals were also his family – he was their great protector.
An avid hiker, Keith loved the canyons of southeast Utah best and told his wife often that the canyons were the only part of Utah he missed after moving to Missouri.
Keith is survived by his wife, best friend and eternal companion Jennifer Lyn Hatcher; his children Timothy Guy Leavitt, Brian Keith Hatcher, Jeffrey Stephen Hatcher, Kera Jenelle Lyman, Jacob Allen Hatcher (Tessa), Cody James Hatcher, Abigail Ann Alder (Ben), Melody Jean McBride (Kyson), Erin Rose Jensen (Travin), and Hyrum Stuart Hatcher; step-children Jordan (Erin), Brenan (Dagneily), and Camram Avery; 12 grandchildren: Lauren and Ryker Hatcher, Aleyah, Arianna, and Grayson Lyman, Wesley Hatcher, Clara and Charlotte Hatcher, Artyom and Finnegan Alder, Maximas and Leonidas McBride; three step-grandchildren Kairi, Conan and Jiraiya Avery; and siblings Danny Douglas Hatcher (Claire), Guy Louis Hatcher (Donni), Martha Elizabeth Welling (Douglas), Mary Charlene Lybbert (Randy), Tanya Maureen Hessler (Kevin), Ruth “Ruthie” Anne Hatcher, John “Johnny” Kevin Hatcher, Kathryn “Kathy” Gail Griess (Gareth).
Keith was preceded in death by his parents, Guy Douglas Hatcher and Martha Jean Younger; his siblings Sharon Jean Hatcher, Theresa “Terry” Jean Amott, Brian Patrick Hatcher, and Rose Aileen Hatcher; and two grandchildren, Eli Fred Lyman and Theodore Allen Hatcher.
He will be more-than-missed by all who love him: family, friends, and feathered or furry farm animals alike.
Keith, I will love you always and for-E-VER!
We will be forever together again! JennyLyn
Funeral Services will be held July 2nd, 2024 in Blanding Utah at 11:00 AM at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints South Chapel. A viewing will be held prior starting at 10:00 AM.
Interment will be in Tumwater, Washington at Mills and Mills Funeral Home and Memorial Park on July 12th, 2024 with a viewing starting at 10:00 am and Graveside at noon.
Address: 5725 Littlerock Rd SW, Tumwater, WA. 98512