Jacqueline Lou Hatch Melton, 82, of South Jordan, Utah, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 25, 2016 with her children at her bedside. Jackie was born to Mildred Jones and Israel Barlow Hatch on January 27, 1934, in Los Angeles, California. She grew up in Monterey Park, California, as the only daughter with five brothers. She graduated from Mark Keppel High School and later attended Brigham Young University. She returned to California and worked at Liebergs department store as a secretary to the president. While working, she attended classes at East L.A. College where she and Jerry met in June of 1958. They were sealed in the LDS Los Angeles Temple on September 5, 1958, and were married for 49 years before Jerry passed away. Together Jackie and Jerry were blessed with 13 children and raised them in Southern California. Later they retired and moved to South Jordan, Utah.
Jackie is survived by her siblings (Shirlene) Hatch, Robert (Lovelle) Hatch, Paul (Dorothy) Hatch, Barry Hatch and Bill (Linda) Hatch, children Jeri Melton, Jana Vradenburg, Jon (Julie) Melton, Juli (Russ) Cloward, (Stacey) Melton, Jean (Jeffery) Abram, Jay (Lynn) Melton, Joy (David) Olsen, Joel (Lori) Melton, Jason (Melanie) Melton, Jodi (Robert) Christensen, Jamie (Desmond) Alvarado and Jill (Charlie) Edmunds. Together they have 57 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren (6 more on the way). She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband H. V. "Jerry" Melton, brother Richard Hatch and her son Jeffrey Melton.
Jackie was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where she served in the Primary Presidency, the Relief Society Presidency, as a Young Adult Leader and a teacher in Primary, Relief Society, Young Women and Sunday school. She also enjoyed serving in the LDS Jordan River Temple. While raising their family, Jackie won California Young Mother of the Year and was first runner up for Utah Mother of the Year. Jackie loved to laugh, write poetry, talk on the phone, text her children and grandchildren and doodle. She was also a very talented teacher who enjoyed teaching any audience and motivating people to be positive. She had a great passion for life and could always find the good in every person and situation. She had the unique ability to make everyone feel important and special. She was respected and adored by all who met and knew her and she will be greatly missed.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 3, 2016 at the LDS West Jordan Mountain View Stake Center, 2901 West 9000 South, West Jordan, Utah. A viewing will be held on Friday evening from 6-8 p.m. at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 East Dimple Dell Road (10600 South) in Sandy and Saturday morning from 9:30-10:30 a.m. prior to the services at the church. Interment Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery. Online condolences welcomed at www.larkincares.com.
