ELVIN CLARK HUTCHINS

ELVIN CLARK HUTCHINS Elvin Clark Hutchins, age 81, went home to be with his Savior, Tuesday, June 18, 2024. As he desired, he passed from this life peacefully at his Lake Brownwood home, a home filled with love, memories, family, and good food. Children and grandchildren gathered around immediately to celebrate the life of their beloved Dad and Pawpaw. Let's remember together, a life well-lived and loved. Elvin was born, January 23, 1943, in Atwell, Texas with his twin brother, Alvin. Elvin and Alvin had built-in best friends all of their lives. Their parents, George and Viola Hutchins, as well as their five older siblings, adored the twins and they received so much care from their little village. Most of Elvin's childhood was spent in Cross Plains, Texas, working at his dad's filling station, hoeing watermelons, and playing a lot of small-town football. Out of high school, Elvin worked with TxDOT in Abilene, during which he met a beautiful young lady named Glenda Marie Jennings. He decided to attend Tarleton State University, but college was soon interrupted by two years of enlisted service to his country in the United States Army. He had an assignment to Washington D.C and then to Germany, but afterward, he hurried home to marry the love of his life on February 25, 1967. Elvin worked at a department store in Weatherford while working on his Bachelor of Mathematics at Tarleton. Their first son, Jeffrey Clark, was born in 1967 and only two years passed before they welcomed their second son, Kenneth Wayne, in 1969. Elvin loved to be a dad and longed to have his new family grow up near his and Glenda's parents. So, the little family moved back near home for his first teaching job in Bangs. Wesley Glen was born in 1972 and prompted their move to Cross Plains for a time to manage the local lumberyard. 1975 saw the addition of Brent Ray, and four little boys in a lumberyard apartment was tight quarters, so they returned to Bangs for Elvin to teach and pursue his Master of Education Administration. Elvin and Glenda spent so many beautiful years raising their boys and working in and around the Bangs community, worshiping and serving at Bangs First Baptist Church. They also loved and enjoyed friendships added from Glenda's employments at the local bank and later at the post office. It is difficult to describe the tapestry of Elvin's life without Glenda's interwoven. Truly, they were a match made in heaven and enjoyed one another's companionship for 57 years. He was an excellent teacher, and after completing his Masters, he became Principal of Bangs Elementary School and later, Superintendent of Richland Springs ISD before his retirement in 1998. Co-workers and students alike, appreciated the leadership and peacemaking skill of this beloved educator. He earned the respect of all those who had the privilege of knowing him. After retiring as an educator and administrator, Elvin began another career as a real estate agent at Texas Realty, which he continued until only recently. His time in real estate was characterized by generosity and kindness. He was known to always make time for people and value the friendships more than the business. There was nothing Elvin loved more than family, fellowship and food. No gathering was complete without a fish fry! Through the years, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, and great grandchildren were added until the current count of 41 descendants. Elvin brought everyone together over and over again, emphasizing the value of family and the importance of grace and forgiveness toward one another. Elvin's memory will be kept in the hearts of all those who love him. Each time we fry a crappie, make a Frito salad, or have a big plastic cup full of iced tea, his memory will bring smiles and tears. And we honor his memory by honoring Jesus in our lives. Elvin was preceded to heaven by his parents, George and Viola Hutchins; parent-in-laws, Raymond and Montie Jennings; brother, Merlin Hutchins; sister, Georgie Hutchins Dewitt; brother-in-law, Bob Vaught; twin brother, Alvin Hutchins and his wife, Vondean Walters Hutchins. Elvin is survived by his wife, Glenda Marie (Jennings) Hutchins; 4 sons, Jeffrey Hutchins and wife, Kimberly; son, Kenneth Hutchins and wife, Stephanie; son, Wesley Hutchins and wife, Joni; son, Brent Hutchins and wife, Jennifer; 24 grandchildren, Harrison Hutchins and wife, Becca; Hannah Hutchins Whitehead and husband, Grant; Emmalynn Hutchins; Taylor Hutchins and wife, Christie; Lane Hutchins and wife, Sierra; Jensen Hutchins; Tyler Sikes; Connor Hatchet; Morgan Sikes; Luke Hutchins and fiancé, Cashlyn Kearney; Kyle Hutchins; Ben Hutchins; Weston Hutchins; Justin Hutchins; Eliyah Hutchins; Skylar Hutchins Mitchell and husband, Wesley; Raylee Hutchins; and Hunter Hutchins; 9 great-grandchildren, Bryson, Brooke, Austin, Marcus, River, Tatelyn, Emery, Oaklynn, and Oaklee; brother, Vondal Hutchins and wife, Joyce; sister, Barbara Hutchins Vaught; brother, Darvel Hutchins and wife, Mary; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.