Tom Hutcheson

1948 - 2014

Thomas Taliaferro Hutcheson Tom Hutcheson, 65, died on Friday, August 29th, after a valiant battle with lymphoma and is now in the loving arms of the Savior whom he loved and served so faithfully. He was a devoted and beloved husband, father, brother and friend and will be sorely missed.
Born in Houston on October 14, 1948, to Thad Thomson Hutcheson and Caroline Brownlee Hutcheson, Tom was a sixth generation Texan. He attended The Kinkaid School as a young boy and eventually graduated from Lamar High School. Tom earned his B.A. degree from the University of Virginia in 1970. He was a member of Kappa Alpha Order at UVA and formed friendships with his KA brothers that endured for a lifetime.
Following a long family tradition, Tom entered into the study of law at the University of Texas, receiving his J.D. and starting a distinguished legal career in 1973. For many years he practiced law alongside his father at the firm of Hutcheson & Grundy. He also practiced with the firm of Locke Liddell, which later became Locke Lord LLP. Most recently, he was a partner in the firm of Winstead PC. A litigator for his entire career, Tom fought tenaciously for his clients and was greatly respected for his skill in the courtroom. However, he was a lawyer from the old school, a gentleman who always showed the greatest respect for opposing clients and counsel and for the justice system itself. There were many lawyers who didn't look forward to facing Tom across the courtroom, but all liked and respected the man and the lawyer.
In 1977 Tom married his soul mate and the love of his life, Chaille Cullinan Hutcheson. They were blessed with three amazing children, Alison Thayer Hutcheson Catchings, Nina Jane Hutcheson, and Thomas Taliaferro Hutcheson, Jr. (Tal). Throughout Tom's illness, the closeness and the faith of this family, and their devotion to Tom and to each other, have been an inspiration to all who have been blessed to know and love them.
While Tom had four siblings, the one who entered the world just five minutes before him, his twin brother Palmer, shared a bond with him for 65 years that is simply impossible to fully appreciate and understand unless you are a twin - and even then, most of their friends and family would agree, there were no twins like "The Twins." From the time that they were born until they graduated from law school and joined two different firms, it seemed as if they were never apart. And even then, they were separated by only a few downtown city blocks! After they married, their wives and kids came first, of course, but there was still no separating "The Twins." When the seriousness of Tom's illness became clear, Palmer dropped everything and devoted virtually every waking hour of these past months to caring for his twin brother and lending support to Chaille and their kids. Palmer himself says that what has gotten him through this difficult time is the strong faith that they shared, which assures him that "one day we will be together in spirit again, in a better place."
Tom served his community in many ways, giving generously of his time and talents to Family Services of Greater Houston, the International Seafarers Center, and the Sam Houston Area Council of Boy Scouts of America among many others. His favorite recreational activities were sailing, hunting, and fishing, all of which gave him the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and the company of family and friends. Tom was a member of the Houston Club, the Bayou Club, St. Charles Bay Hunting Club, and Texas Corinthian Yacht Club (where he was a former Commodore.) He was also an active member of St. John the Divine Episcopal Church, where he was serving on the Vestry and as a Stephen Minister, and where his strong Christian faith was nurtured in fellowship with so many dear friends.
In addition to Chaille, Thayer, Nina, Tal, and Palmer, Tom is survived by his brothers Thad Hutcheson and Houghton Hutcheson, his sister Lucy Hutcheson Barrow, son-in-law Jason Catchings, grandchildren Kylie and Chase Catchings, sisters-in-law Marjorie Hutcheson, Claudia Hutcheson, and Rebecca Hutcheson, brother-in-law David Barrow, and numerous nieces and nephews.
There will be a memorial service celebrating Tom's life at St. John the Divine Episcopal Church, 2450 River Oaks Boulevard, on Wednesday the 3rd of September at 1:00 P. M. A reception will follow for family and friends at a location to be announced at the service. In lieu of the usual remembrances, the family requests that memorials be directed to Family Services of Greater Houston (www.familyservices.org), the Sam Houston Area Council of Boy Scouts of America (http://www.samhoustonbsa.org/), St. John the Divine Episcopal Church (www.sjd.org), or the charity of one's choice.
"And what does the Lord require of you, oh man? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8