James Howard Hutchison “Hutch”
May 19, 1943 – March 11, 2023
79 Years, 9 Months, 16 Days
James Howard Hutchison “Hutch” passed away on March 11, 2023, at the age of 79 in Edmond, Oklahoma. James was born to Evelyn and Robert Hutchison on May 19, 1943, in Choctaw, Oklahoma. He was a talented athlete who went on to play football in college where he met his wife Patricia Waldman Hutchison of 59 years who is “still the one.” James received his undergraduate degree from Central State University in Edmond, Oklahoma and furthered his education with a Master of Education from the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas. They lived in Kansas for 13 years where James coached football and started his first business: V and H Construction. With an opportunity to coach at his high school alma mater James sold his business and moved back to Oklahoma to coach football at Choctaw High School.
James was driven professionally with an unmatched work ethic with what began as summer work turned into a 44-year career owning and operating 3 successful companies within the Oil and Gas industry.
His passions in life were his Faith, Family, and Friends. He had an enthusiasm for hard work, adventure, and people. His simple communication style and caring heart often lead to him mentoring many he came to know. He found joy in the joy of others.
He worked hard every day to provide for his family and instill forever learned lessons, memories, and morals to both family and all those fortunate to know him. He had a unique style in how he shared his faith with both his words and his deeds.
He is survived by his wife Pat Hutchison, daughter Heidi May (Robert), and son Kirk Hutchison. He was known as Papa to his 6 Grandchildren: Jacob May (Emily), Emily Power (Blake), Hallie May, and Tessie May and his 1 Great Grandchild: Adalynn May. Jim was preceded in death by parents Evelyn Hutchison Parker and Robert Hutchison and his sister, Jan Wilsey.
The family would especially like to thank Carol Ann Corrigan, who worked with James for 42 years as an integral part of his business.
Donations in honor of James can be made to either Positive Tomorrow’s in OKC or Loving Choices Pregnancy Center in Rogers, AR.
Hutch / Papa will be deeply missed by his family and all who knew him.
A public viewing will be held Friday, March 24th from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Matthews Funeral Home in Edmond, OK. Family will be present to greet friends.
The funeral service will be Saturday, March 25th at 2:00 PM at Edmond Faith Bible Church in Edmond, OK.
`Dear Pat, Heidi and Kirk,
Please accept my sincere condolences
I have known Hutch for about 73 years. We first met on Henney Road in Choctaw, where I grew up near the home of his grand parents. We went all through the Choctaw school system together. In fact, in seventh grade, we staged the most epic school yard fight on record. He pounded on my face for the entire lunch period and then the principal pounded on our butts with a wooden paddle.(that was my last fight)
After high school, we both went off to college at Independence, Kansas and had some horrifying experiences to include a winter time hitchhiking trip to Tulsa which started at closing time one Friday night, and included one ride in the back of a pickup in 17 degree weather. We also had an aborted trick or treating session ( we were starving) when our costumes were sheets and the only house we went to must have thought we were KKK.
We both left Independence after one semester and went our separate ways for a couple of years until we both ended up at Central State and lived in a “shanty”of a duplex with my brother David at 213 E. Edwards in Edmond. We lived on Mac & Cheese and got to listen to the neighbors fight all the time. The place was so rickety that one night , I came home with a live rabbit and threw it in Hutch’s bed, he screamed and the rabbit ran off but we don’t know how it got out of the house.
Since then we have had some great Colorado ski trips with my brothers and a super stream fishing trip to his investment land at Red Oak.
Hutch has been a true and valued friend and I will miss him forever.
Pat and family,
I extend my condolences for your loss and I mourn with you, and also CELEBRATE knowing that we will be with Jim for all eternity in the presence of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. When Jim gave his testimony at our Men’s Breakfast meeting at Faith Bible Church he revealed his faith and moved the entire gathering. I know you miss him as do I.
Blessings.
Dickk Woolbright
Deepest condolences. Hutch was was always kind and giving. God’s love shown through to all he came in contact. A true servant. May God comfort your family during this time of loss. John and Sheryl Bobbitt
Our sincere condolences to the entire Hutchison family. Pat, you and Jim were the first to greet us and welcome us to your Michigan home community at Crooked Tree. Always the smile and wave every time you guys drove by. We’ll miss that friendly face for sure. God’s team got a good one there. Dan and Gloria Bowman
We have been friends with Jim and Pat since the 1970’s when we lived in the same neighborhood. There are so many fond memories, visiting, eating meals with them, talking about the Lord, traveling and antiquing and especially joking around and laughing! (Lots and lots of laughter).
In one instance they invited us over for some soup Pat had made the day before. Don’t know if they didn’t want to feed us a complete meal…or wanted to get rid of their leftovers (just kidding) …but we went and when they came to the door…I declared “we’re here for the “scraps”… it was a long-standing joke that always brought laughter for years. There was always lot’s of teasing and joking and carrying on. Hutch was always full of fun.
Another hysterically funny instance is when we went on a white-water rafting trip with them in Colorado. Our raft got stuck on a very large boulder…my wife, Carol, just kept furiously paddling and all it was doing was taking us in circles on top of that boulder. Hutch kept yelling (with all his navigational experience), “Carol, rest your oars!”. Other rafters who were passing by were helpless to get us off the boulder. (We were laughing so hard!) I finally got up and moved to the back of the raft and it flipped it off the boulder.
We cherish all the memories. Hutch meant so much to us. He was such a “down-to-earth”, Godly man who loved the Lord and his family dearly, and was a great friend.
It’s time to “rest your oars, Hutch”…… Rest in peace.
Pat and family-
Hutch touched so many people and we will always remember his sparkle in his eye, his big laugh and words of encouragement. Hugs and prayers to you and your family.
All our love,
Matt, Sara, Hanna, Myah, Ingrid and Kaisa Olstad
Dear Pat, Heidi and Kirk,
Nate and I can’t begin to express how sad we are and how much we will miss our beloved Up North Dad, Hutch. We will forever remember his larger than life laugh we could hear the back porch, his kindness and generosity felt by all, his love of coming over for dinner or snacks on the porch, and most of all his modeling of what a good neighbor and human being looks like. Hutch loved his family so much, and spoke so very highly of Pat, the kids, and the grandkids. He was so proud of all, and we know he will be dearly missed. We love Jim’s story of meeting Pat and getting married with just about nothing in his pocket. He is the story of hard work and perseverance. Jim put his family above all, and we will forever remember him with warmth and love in our hearts. You are in our thoughts and prayers. We hope you feel our arms around you and know that we are sending love your way.
Love,
Robin and Nate Lewis