Odell Hatch age 93, passed away September 19, 2024, in Prairie Grove Health Care in Prairie Grove, AR.
He was born September 5, 1931, in the Woodville Community of Chester County, the son of the late Otto Wayne and Lucendia Idell Armour Hatch. He attended School at Woodville and Chester County until he was drafted by the Army but enlisted in the Naval Air Force and served during the end of the Korean War. He served thirteen months in Iceland and the remainder at the Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, FL.
He married Carmen Faye Deming in 1952.
He attended Barber School at Molar’s Barber School in Memphis and barbered at Melton’s Barber Shop in Henderson. He worked at the International Tractor Dealership in Henderson and then as a Director’s Assistant at Casey Funeral Home. He was a member of the Sanford Hill Baptist Church.
He was elected Circuit Court Clerk in 1966 and served twenty-two ½ years. He also served simultaneously as the General Sessions Court Clerk, retiring in 1988.
He enjoyed rabbit hunting, squirrel hunting, farming, taxadermy, and gardening. He also raised Beagal dogs for many years.
He was a member of the “Over the Hill” gang, a group of retired horse riders.
He had served as Commander of the Local American Legion, Charter President of the Henderson Jaycees and was coordinator of the Local American Red Cross and helped found the Chester County Rescue Squad.
Chester County lost one of its best friends, and family lost a generous, loving, kind, and funny husband, Dad, and Granddad. His spirit will live on, he made that much of a footprint on this earth.
Mr. Hatch is survived by his wife, Carmen Faye Deming Hatch of Henderson; a son, Anthony Hatch (Vicki) of Cheyenne, WY, a daughter, Sheila West (Shelby) of Prairie Grove, AR; four grandchildren, Michelle Swart (Josh), Mt Juliet, TN, Tim West (Beth) West Fork, AR, Brittany Hatch of Colorado Springs, CO, and Brian Hatch (Molly) of Astoria, NY, six great grandchildren, a sister, Dottie Hatch Wiggins (Edwin) of Bolivar, and a sister-in-law, Shirley Hatch of Bethel Springs, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Mike Hatch and a sister, Evelyn King.
