Joseph Franklin Hatch

Joseph Franklin Hatch, 88, passed away Monday, June 28, 2021.
Hatch was born in Bois D’Arc, Oct. 6, 1932 to Oscar Hatch and Miona “Nell” (West). He spent his childhood roaming the land with his brother Bob, finding ways to get himself in some sort of mischief.
Hatch began his career with the Southwestern Bell Telephone in Oklahoma City in 1952 and enlisted with the United States Navy the same year. He was deployed in 1953 during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in 1954. Before his discharge, however, the government gave him a few medals for various honorable acts during his time of service.
SWBT decided to keep him around as an employee in Oklahoma City and southwest Oklahoma after his return from deployment. He married Tommie Dawn Millican on Sept. 14, 1954 in Oklahoma City and they moved to St. Louis, in 1963.
He rose in the management ranks of the telephone company, retiring in 1991 as the Assistant Vice President for Missouri after 39 years of service.
Hatch and wife Tommie retired to Ash Grove in 1992 where they lived out their years making many memories with friends and family. He was an active member of the Ash Grove UMPC, the VFW, and the American Legion. In his long active life he was very competitive in everything he did.
Hatch was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar and Miona “Nell” (West) Hatch, his wife Tommie Dawn (Millican) Hatch, his son, John Hatch, his brother William Robert “Bob” Hatch and best hunting companions in the world, his dogs Black Magic Josie and Dottie.
He is survived by his son David and wife Kathy, son Richard “Rex” and wife Terri; five grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren, and many beloved friends and family.
Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m., Monday, July 12, 2021 at Wilson-Griffin Funeral Home, Ash Grove. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m., Tuesday, July 13, 2021 at United Methodist Presbyterian Church, Ash Grove with burial to follow at Johns Chapel Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Ash Grove Sunshine Center where Hatch spent many happy moments.