Jack Davis Dutton

Obituary – Jack Davis Dutton

July 12, 2005 – December 18, 2025

Jack Dutton had a warm heart, endless potential, and the kind of joy that was contagious. Jack leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, deep friendships, and memories that will last a lifetime.

Jack was the cherished son of Dennis Dutton, who perished in the same accident, and Dr. Stephanie Dutton. He is survived by his mother, Stephanie Dutton; his siblings, Desiree Wilson (Jared Wilson), Derek Dutton (Julija Dutton), and Grace Dutton; grandparents, Margaret Garner, James Craig, and Robin Craig; nephews, Benjamin, Alex, and Cooper Wilson, and Noah Dutton; newborn niece, Zofijia Dutton; along with extended family and countless friends who adored him. He was deeply loved, and his absence will forever be felt by those who knew him.

Jack was truly one of a kind-a young man who was bold, confident, compassionate, and full of life. He had a remarkable ability to walk into a room and win everyone over, much like his father. Though he was the youngest sibling, he often felt like the protective older brother-encouraging, guiding, teasing, loving, and steadfast. Grace describes him as her best friend and life coach, a role he filled with pride, humor, and heart. As a son, he brought immeasurable joy, laughter, and pride to his parents.

A junior at Auburn University in the Professional Flight program, Jack was following in his father and grandfather's footsteps with passion, discipline, and enthusiasm. He had recently earned his Instrument Rated Private Pilot certification, a milestone he worked hard for and was incredibly proud of. True to who Jack was, he excelled in anything he set his mind to-whether it was aviation, playing tennis, strumming his guitar, or making people laugh with his quick wit and playful antics.

Jack graduated from William Amos Hough High School in Cornelius, North Carolina. But ask anyone who knew him there, and they don't lead with his grades or many accomplishments, they tell you about his heart. They share stories of how he showed up for people, how he listened, and how he cared in a way that felt genuine. During those years, Jack spent his summers at Camp Timberlake, first as a camper, then as a counselor. He loved everything about it-the laughter, the friendships, the campers who looked up to him, and the sense of belonging it gave him. The people there didn't just become friends; they became family. He also helped start CLEO at Hough, a program to teach senior citizens how to use technology, because even as a teenager, Jack noticed who needed help and showed up.

Jack lived and breathed Auburn University, in fact, Jack may have been Auburn's biggest football fan. He loved flying in the aviation program, goofing with his roommates and friends, and making a mean latte at Well Red Cafe. When Jack wasn't "winning" dance contests with his pledge brothers at Alpha Sigma Phi, he was also making the Dean's List.

Like his dad, Jack nurtured his friendships deliberately-even when distance separated them. He made time to show up, to travel, to connect-whether that meant a flight to see his best friends out west or a weekend at the cabin with the people he loved. He was an old soul who gave the best hugs, loved vinyl records, and knew every Avett Brothers song. Jack was a caretaker by nature-witty, big-hearted, and loving-and always up for the kind of mischief that made everyone laugh-like swiping frosting off his sister Desi's wedding cake when he was four years old, grinning to the crowd the entire time.

Jack Dutton was a young man of extraordinary character, kindness, humor, confidence, and love. His life, though heartbreakingly short, was beautiful, meaningful, and deeply impactful. His spirit lives on through the people he loved, the friendships he built, the laughter he created, and the love he gave so freely. He will forever be remembered, cherished, and held close in the hearts of all who were lucky enough to know him.

At just 20 years of age, Jack touched more lives and left a deeper mark than many people do in an entire lifetime.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Ebenezer Christian Children's Home, Ebenezerfamily.org/donate or to a memorial aviation scholarship in honor of Dennis and Jack Dutton that is currently being established at Auburn University.