OBITUARY: Hatch Cummings Smith, 60, of Llano dies July 14, 2013
A lifelong resident of Llano, Hatch Cummings Smith, 60, passed away July 14, 2013. Born in Austin to Mary Pauline “Chu Chu” Waltmon Smith and Damon Philip Smith Jr., Hatch was a well-loved, proud family man with a bigger-than-life personality.
In keeping with the proud heritage of cattlemen, Hatch worked as a boy for his father cattle ranching or astride a horse. During summers and after school, Hatch worked for the family business, the Llano Livestock Auction, of which he took the helm.
Graduating in 1971 from Llano High School, and staying true to family tradition, he graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Arts in business in 1975. While at the university, he was a member of the Silver Spurs and the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity. Upon graduation, he married the love of his life, Fraser Suttles of Houston.
Hatch served as director and president of both the National Livestock Marketing Association and the Livestock Marketing Association of Texas, director of the Texas & Southwest Cattle Raisers Association, director of the Llano Chamber of Commerce and board member and past president of Llano Independent School District.
No one enjoyed a good football game more than Hatch, whether he was on the field or on the sidelines. He was named to the all-state team in 1970, among many other sports accomplishments. He was inducted into the Llano Yellowjackets Hall of Fame, not once, but twice: in 2007, for his individual athletic accomplishments, and in 2011, alongside his senior football team.
Hatch is survived by his wife, Fraser; son, Hatch Cummings Smith Jr. and wife Sarabeth Hirshfeld Smith of Dallas; daughter, Katherine Suttles Smith and fiancé Daniel Francis Tuck of Melbourne, Australia; mother, Chu Chu Waltmon Smith of Llano; and many, many loving family member and friends.
Preceding him in death were Hatch’s father, Damon Philip Smith Jr.; sister, Diane Maxson Smith Ligon; brother, Damon Philip Smith III; nephew Damon Philip Smith IV; and aunt and uncle Margie Smith Shurtz and Robert Shurtz.
A memorial service is 2 p.m. July 19 at First Baptist Church, 107 W. Luce St. in Llano, followed by a graveside service at Llano City Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Hatch may be made to Grace Episcopal Church, 1200 Oatman St., Llano, TX 78643, or to The McCombs School of Business, Attention: Development and External Relations, 2110 Speedway, Mail Stop B6006, Austin, TX 78712. The memo line should read: Damon P. Smith III, Endowed Scholarship Fund.
Cremation arrangements by Waldrope-Hatfield-Hawthorne Funeral Home, 307 E. Sandstone in Llano, (325) 247-4300. Email whhfuneral1@verizon.net or go to www.whhfuneralhome.com for condolences.