On Thursday Sept. 19, 2019, Linvel Ray Hatton met his Lord, face to face, at the age of 84. Linvel was born on Nov. 12 1934, in Jeffersonville, Kentucky, to Emma and Lonnie Hatton. The Hatton family moved to the Westport area in 1937, after spending time in northern Michigan. Linvel was the eldest of seven siblings; Mary (Gabbard), Jack, Jerry, Sandy (Oxley), Don, and Ron. The family home was just blocks away from the old Ocosta School.

Linvel spent his youth and young adult life logging and hunting. He worked alongside his father in the logging industry. He had the privilege of working in logging during the era of steam donkeys and Shay railroad engines. He graduated from Ocosta High School in 1952. During high school he played football, basketball and boxed.

Linvel traveled to California during the year of 1953 and met his wife, Gloria Fiscus. They were married on Aug. 13, 1954. They raised three children; Tony, Rene (Larson) and Laurie (Cooper).

Linvel became involved in the sales and manufacture of aluminum patio covers for mobile homes and started several successful businesses in this field over the next 33 years.

Linvel was also an avid fly fishermen and outfitter. He fished many of the streams and lakes of the Pacific Northwest. He often spent deer and elk hunting season as a packer for outfitter Calvin Henry, a lifelong friend. He would rise at 4 a.m. to catch, feed and saddle horses for paying hunters and then trail them to the best locations. He enjoyed this work and used his vacation time to be a part of this hunting event.

Linvel had a zest for life and an infectious smile. His great work ethic came from his Kentucky hill ancestors. He had a strength of character that carried him through many difficulties and changes in his life.

Linvel was preceded in death by his father, Lonnie Hatton, mother Emma Hatton, brothers Jack Hatton and Ronald Hatton, sister Mary (Gabbard), niece Amy Benham and nephew Shannon McDaniel. He is survived by his wife Teddy, his three children Tony, Rene (Larson), Laurie (Cooper) and grandchildren Mike Tersieff, Mark Tersieff, Andrew Larson, Kate (Holeski), Mandy Larson, Thomas Cooper, Daniel Cooper, Virginia Cooper, Lauren Cooper, and Samuel Cooper, his brothers Jerry and Don, his sister Sandy (Oxley), and several nieces, nephews and 13 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday Nov. 9, 2019 at the Ocosta Recreation Hall, 45 Ocosta 6th St., Aberdeen, WA 98520, at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers and gifts, please make a contribution to the Luis Palau Association, P.O. Box 50, Portland, Oregon 97207 or Flying H Youth Ranch, 370 Flying H Loop Naches, WA 98937.