Peter Duane “Petey” Hatch, 11, Tega Cay, SC

With love and gratitude in our hearts for the memories we have gained, we celebrate the life of our son and brother Peter Duane Hatch.

Peter (or “Petey” as he preferred to be called), was born at the Seminary Road Inova Hospital in Alexandria, VA on February 20, 2014. Petey was a beautiful baby. He was large, cuddly boy weighing 9 lbs 11 ounces and soon became renowned for his napping ability He almost never cried during the night.

Petey soon proved to be an eager playmate to his older sister, Cordelia. He loved to be outside and play in the dirt, including finding new rocks, insects, and worms and was always eager to throw a ball with his Daddy or to read a book with Mommy. He was a lover of vegetables and stuffed animals (especially squishmallows).

After moving to the Charlotte area, Petey began school at Dilworth Elementary School. He was social and was always eager to start a game of tag. Petey attended first grade, and despite the ongoing Covid-19 lockdown, became extremely proficient at both reading and math.

Petey attended Kings Town Elementary for grades 2-5. He loved interacting with both his teachers and his classmates. He was a regular presence in the school’s gaga ball pit and loved riding the bus to school with his friends, despite an early pick-up time of 6:45.

Petey studied Tae Kwon Do at the Tiger Kim School in Tega Cay and earned his Black Belt in August of 2024. He loved participating in the Battle of Books competition at Kings Town where he was able to make special friendships and pursue his interest in reading. Petey especially enjoyed stories by Rick Riordan and the Alex Rider series by Anthony Horowitz.

He also enjoyed historical fiction, reading Tolkien fantasy with his Uncle Jonny, and learning about his namesake, Peter the Great of Russia.

Peter studied piano for four years with Ms. Mollie Smith. He loved classical music, especially Beethoven, and played versions of “Flight of the Bumblebee” and “Sonata Pathetique” at a yearly recital held in December of 2025. Petey also played tuba as part of Gold Hill Middle School 6th grade band. He loved the opportunity to play music as part of a group. He worked extra hard to learn his rhythms and note names.

Petey and his family were members of the Tega Cay Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Peter loved learning songs about the Gospel and participating in activities with the rest of his youth group.

Petey also played for two years as an offensive lineman for the Fort Mill Reapers Pop Warner football team. He loved watching college football with his Dad. He always savored cheering for the Tennessee Volunteers (orange was his favorite color) and studying the most recent rankings, standings, and statistics.

Petey loved math and dreamed of becoming a math professor. He was a member of the Gold Hill Middle School Math Club and always impressed his parents with his ability to do quick and accurate calculations.

Petey also loved travel and the outdoors. As a four-year old he participated in a winter trip to Iceland and would later cross the country several times on road trips to meet his cousins living in Utah, Montana, and Nebraska. He was proud of the fact he had visited 44 states and loved to compare the places he had visited with his friends and acquaintances. His longest trip was to visit the family of his Nana Haimann in Newcastle, England, which he completed in April of 2024.

Petey and his sister also loved attending annual outdoor summer camps offered at the Alta Mons retreat in Shawsville, Virginia and where he spent the weekend before.

Petey, 11, passed quietly and unexpectedly in his sleep the morning of December 22, 2025. He is survived by his parents Robert and Julie Hatch, his three siblings: Cordelia (13), Thomas (8), and Walter (5), his grandparents Steven and Christine Haimann of Tega Cay, SC and Joel and Christine Hatch of Roy, UT as well as a loving extended family of aunts uncles and cousins.

Petey’s family expresses their gratitude for the many emergency responders, neighbors, school workers, friends, teammates, and church members that have provided service and sent condolences during this tender time. Although our hearts are broken, we find comfort in the words of scripture when the Savior said, “I am the resurrection and the life…whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.” (John 11:25-26). At this time we are thankful for Petey’s kind and loving spirit, his willingness to serve and share, including his preparation to serve as a Deacon in the Church.

All who loved Petey and wish to celebrate his life are invited to attend a visitation and reception at the Wolfe Funeral Home (314 Spratt St., Fort Mill, SC 29715) on January 1 from 6-8 PM. All are also invited to a formal funeral service for Petey that will be held at the Rock Hill Chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ (1883 Saluda Rd., Rock Hill, 29730) on Saturday, January 3 at 11 AM.

In lieu of flowers, we invite loved ones to consider a donation to a fund in honor of Petey being set up in support of the Gold Hill Middle School Library and Bank Programs. Contact the family for more details.