U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch discusses Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh during a speech hosted by the Sutherland Institute, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah Gov. Spencer Cox has ordered the lowering of the flag of the United States of America and the flag of the state of Utah on all state facilities next Wednesday, as memorial services begin for U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch. The longest-serving Republican senator in history died April 23, at age 88.
Friday’s order was issued as a family representative confirmed, the long-time U.S. senator will be buried with military rites at the Newton Cemetery on Friday, May 6.
On Wednesday, May 4, the Sen. Hatch will lie in state from 2 to 8 p.m. in the Utah State Capitol Rotunda. According to Gov. Cox’s order, flags will be lowered to the half-staff position at sunrise and returned to full-staff at sunset, in recognition of the life, legacy, and selfless sacrifice of the former senator.
Funeral services will be held Friday, May 6, at 1 p.m. in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Institute of Religion in Salt Lake City. Immediately after, the Utah Highway Patrol will escort the procession to the Newton Cemetery, where the senator will be laid to rest following a military salute. They are expected to arrive between 4 and 5 p.m.
Both the viewing and funeral will be open to the public.
Sen. Hatch was born on March 22, 1934, in Homestead Park, Pennsylvania—just outside of Pittsburgh. He attended Brigham Young University in 1952. To pay his way through college, he worked as a janitor during the school year and as a journeyman lather in the summers. When he was 19-years-old, he was called to serve a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Ohio and Indiana.
Upon returning from his mission, Hatch met Elaine Hansen, from Newton. The two were married in the Salt Lake City Temple. They were married for more than 60 years and were the parents of six children.
The Hatch’s visited Newton on a number of occasions during his years as a prominent politician. The couple has a joint burial plot at the Newton Cemetery.
will@cvradio.com