 1923 - 2009 (86 years)
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| Name |
Leon Dupree Hatch |
| Birth |
3 Aug 1923 |
Branford, Suwannee, Florida, USA  |
| Gender |
Male |
| Death |
28 Nov 2009 |
Haven Hospice of the Suwanee Valley, Lake City, Columbia, Florida, USA |
- Leon Dupree Hatch
(August 3, 1923 - November 28, 2009)
Leon Dupree Hatch, Sr., age 86, of Branford, FL passed away peacefully at the Haven Hospice Suwannee Valley Care Center in Lake City on November 28, 2009 following a lengthy illness. Mr. Hatch was born on August 3, 1923, the son of Robert E. and Mamie Woods Hatch. With the exception of a few years following his graduation from Branford High School in 1941, Mr. Hatch was a lifelong resident, farmer and businessman in Branford.
Mr. Hatch was proud to serve his country during World War II in the United States Air Force and, along with his nine man crew aboard a B-17 Flying Fortress, put in 29 combat missions against Germany. On the second mission, his plane exploded and burst into flames as they were about to cross the English Channel. The Associated Press dispatch, describing the incident, in which the crew of nine narrowly escaped death said: "The last man to leave the plane was Sgt. Leon Hatch, gunner. He rushed back to see if the tail gunner was safe and he realized he was the last man in the bomber. He had to struggle back through the flames to get out." The press dispatch said that nine parachutes puffed through the smoke of the flaming plane, barely escaping the wild zigzagging of the wounded craft. An old English farmer and his wife rescued Mr. Hatch and took him to their house where Air/Sea Rescue eventually located him and took him back to his base.
After completing his time in the service, Mr. Hatch came back to Branford, and along with his brother Rudolph, opened a business and began farming.
It wasn't long before Mr. Hatch met and married his wife of 56 years, Shirley Williams. Together, they raised three children: Lee (Debra) Hatch, Shawn (David) Campbell, and Chuck (Amby) Hatch, all of Branford. His pride and joy were his eight grandchildren: Bethany (Barton) Byrd, Dupree Hatch, Eddie Hatch, Will Campbell, Jesse (Reid) Fleming, Emilee Hatch, Kimberly (Seth) Jackson, David Campbell, Jr. and one great-grandchild, Troy Fleming. In addition, Mr. Hatch is survived by one brother, Rudolph Hatch of Branford, FL and one sister, Betty Jean Daughtry of Lake City, FL. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Robert Hatch, and a sister, Doris Hatch Long.
Mr. Hatch was a member of First Baptist Church of Branford for many years, where he was bestowed the honor of Deacon Emeritus. Through the years, he was active in many civic organizations and community activities and was interested in anything that would benefit the Branford community. He and his brother Rudolph were recipients of the Suwannee County Chamber of Commerce Trailblazer award in February 2004. In addition, in 2008 he was bestowed the Paul Harris Fellow award by the Branford Rotary Club.
Mr. Hatch will be remembered by all who knew him as a man who loved the simple things in life. He felt blessed to have been born at a time when a person could enjoy the wide open spaces and the unrestricted things in life, such as hunting and fishing. He had a deep respect for all living things. He was a true gentleman and derived pleasure from being generous with others, whether he was delivering a home grown watermelon to a shut-in, or donating property so that the children of the Branford community could have a place to play. Above all, he valued dedication to God, country and family.
A celebration of his life will be held on December 1, 2009 at 2:00 at the First Baptist Church Christian Life Center located on Suwannee Avenue in Branford. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery, Branford. Memorial contributions can be made to the Haven Hospice Suwannee Valley Care Center, 6037 US Hwy. 90 West, Lake City FL, 32055. Arrangements are entrusted to Daniels Funeral Homes and Crematory of Branford, Fl.
Daniels Funeral Homes & Crematory, Inc.
http://www.danielsfuneralhome.com/fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=465725&fh_id=12081
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| Person ID |
I29222 |
tng Genealogy |
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| Event Map |
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 | Birth - 3 Aug 1923 - Branford, Suwannee, Florida, USA |
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