Obituary of Kenneth Hatch

Born in Sumner, WA, Ken, age 92, passed away peacefully on June 19, 2022. Son of Lloyd and Alma Hatch, Ken and his 11 siblings grew up and attended school in the Lake Tapps – Buckley area. Surrounded there by farmland and forest, Ken discovered a love for horses and an aptitude for training wild mustangs as a teenager.

After serving in the Korean Conflict, he married his first wife Margaret in 1954 and began a successful career with Western Farmers Association. His skills as a manager led to several promotions that drew him and his young family to resettle in communities throughout Oregon and Washington, with the family eventually returning to the Seattle area. Before retiring, Ken also owned and operated a successful dry-cleaning business: “Ken’s Cleaners.”

Following Margaret’s death in 1994, Ken concentrated on spending time with new friends, golfing with “The Grasshoppers,” and discovering the world of travel. Planning the next journey became a favorite pursuit, along with reading deeply about a destination’s history and culture. Over the years he and his wife Arlene spent winters in California and time in the Mediterranean, China, Europe, and Mexico, often accompanied on these trips by children and grandchildren.     

His passion for life, his unique sense of humor, and indominable spirit endeared him to friends and acquaintances alike. Ken cherished his family, nature, and sharing his time and talents with others – all reflected in the joy he found in gardening, creative woodworking, and greeting new babies to the world.

Ken is survived by his wife Arlene, sisters Norma Martin and Dorene Royce, son Tom (Karen), daughter Jayne Albright (Mark), and his stepchildren Julie Brines, Teresa Chance, Gary Brines, and Lesley Pittman, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In observance of Covid-19 precautions, a private service for family and close friends will be held at St. Andrews Catholic Church in Sumner, WA.