George Henry Hutcherson

HALLSVILLE — George Henry Hutcherson, of Hallsville, Texas, went home to be with his Lord on May 20, 2012, at Good Shepherd Hospital.
He was born June 6, 1926, in Horatio, Arkansas. George was a great husband, father, brother, Grandpa, PePaw, friend, coach and teacher who was also known as "Mr. H." He will be missed by many.
George graduated from Timpson High School in 1943 at 16 years of age. He enlisted in the United States Marines right away. He celebrated his 18th birthday twice because he was crossing the International Date Line at the time. George served in the Pacific Theater on Saipan and Tinian in the Marianas. He enlisted in the Texas National Guard in 1949, and served five years total in the military.
After this discharge, he enrolled in University of Texas in 1949 and went with his childhood friend, Billy Hunt. George was a member of the freshman Longhorn football team that year, but was never able to play because of a shoulder injury. He transferred to Stephen F. Austin State Teachers College (then) and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in math and science. During this time, he was helping coach at Timpson High School. After graduation, he coached at Beckville for five years, also teaching sixth-grade science and math. He received his Masters of Education from SFA also, as well as his Superintendent certification. He moved to Carthage then, coaching and teaching seventh-grade math.
He met the love of his life, Donna Dean Clark, there at Carthage and they married in January 1959. They moved to Hallsville in 1968 and he taught there until his retirement, after 38 years of teaching, in May 1992.
George loved life. He was a sports enthusiast, enjoying watching most any game. He played semi-pro baseball and coached all the sports in schools. He watched his sons participate in sports and his grandsons as well. He enjoyed square dancing and ballroom dancing. He enjoyed listening to gospel music and attending concerts. Above all, he was a faithful member of First United Methodist Church of Hallsville, serving in all capacities in his 43-year membership there. He devoted 20 years to serving on and leading mission teams, most of which were on the Navajo Reservation. He was a fine example of a Christian gentleman.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Bertha Hutcherson; his siblings, William, Arthur and Frances Hutcherson Farmer; and his two daughters, Holly and Shela.
He is survived by his wife and best friend of 53 years, Donna Dean; his sons, Lamar and Patty Hutcherson of Magnolia, Texas, Michael and Leanne Hutcherson of Highland Village. Texas, and Mark and Charlotte Hutcherson of Deer Park, Texas. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Heather Lewis, Jennifer Harris, Jonathan Hutcherson, Lara Hutcherson, Amy Hutcherson, John Hutcherson, Grant Hutcherson, Ben Hutcherson, Brooksy Bresnen, Maurice Bresnen, Zachary Poon and Max Poon; his great-grandchildren, Taylor Harris, Cieara Hicks and Collin Hicks; special great-granddaughters, Amberlyn and Aubrie Carter and their father, Aaron Carter; and his faithful companion, Romeo. In addition, he is survived by his brother, Charles Hutcherson of Center; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Jan and George Atkinson of Houston; nieces and nephews, Lois (Dan) Templin, Jennifer Atkinson, Geoff (Julianne) Atkinson, Jayne Crain, Penny Lynch, Lizann Burke, William (Charlene) Farmer and James (Kay) Farmer; first-cousin, Beth (Marion) Shepherd; many great-nieces and great-nephews; and a host of friends and former students.
According to his wishes, George will be cremated and his ashes buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in Timpson, Texas. There will be a celebration of life service at at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 26, 2012, First United Methodist Church, Hallsville. There will be a visitation with the family after the service in the church fellowship hall.
The family would like to express its thanks to Good Shepherd Hospital and its staff, to Dr. Sharma, Texas Oncology and its staff and Heart'sWay Hospice and its staff. All of you took such great care of him and were so caring to him. God bless you.
Memorials may be made to the George and Donna Dean Hutcherson Band Scholarship Fund, Holly Clark Hutcherson Scholarship at Lon Morris College, First United Methodist Church, Hallsville, Heart'sWay Hospice, or the American Cancer Society.