Louis Hutcherson Sr.

1940 - 2016

Louis Hutcherson Sr., 75, quietly departed this life Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. He was born May 19, 1940, in Pine Run, to the late Hubert Hutcherson Sr. and Josephine (Johnson) Hutcherson. At a very young age, Louis's parents moved to Vandergrift, where he received his adolescent education from the Vandergrift School System, currently known as the Kiski Area School District. Also, as a child his father nicknamed him "Bumma." From then on, his family and friends affectionately called him, "Bumma Lou" or "Lou Hutch." Early in life, Lou exemplified consistency in leadership, as well as exceptional athletic skills. His athletic ability became evident in high school, where he played varsity baseball, basketball and football. And, in turn, made a name for himself in football as the first African-American quarterback in Vandergrift High School history. He continued his education by attending Clarion State College, currently known as Clarion University of Pennsylvania and he once again led the school's football team as quarterback. Finally, later in life, he was not only rewarded for his high school accomplishments by being inducted into the Alle-Kiski Valley Sports Hall of Fame, but he was also included, in the 1993 inductees, into the Clarion University Sports Hall of Fame. Also, while attending Clarion, Lou met and married his college sweetheart, Nancy Chandler. As a young man, Lou dreamed of becoming a Pennsylvania state policeman, however he had never seen an African-American State police officer before, but that didn't hinder him! In 1963, he applied and was accepted as a cadet at the Pennsylvania State Police Academy in Hershey. Lou Hutcherson became the first African-American Pennsylvania state policeman in Western Pennsylvania on Sept. 3, 1964. Lou was promoted through the ranks and after 33 years of service, he retired in1998. For Lou, being a man of leadership and skill, retirement didn't last long. He became a consultant and later chief of police for the Pittsburgh Housing Authority Police Department in Pittsburgh, where he proved to be a major contributing factor in the revamping of their policies and procedures. A few years later, he and Nancy moved to Eatonton, Ga., where they became "snowbirds." After being in Georgia only a few months, Lou once again served in the area of criminal justice as an investigator, but soon realized he was not interested in continuing in that line of work. He preferred retirement, fishing and playing golf with the boys! Although he wasn't idle long, Louis soon became bored and accepted a part-time position as bailiff for the Putnam County Court System in Georgia. Deacon Louis Hutcherson accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior at First Baptist Church of North Vandergrift. Here he served on several ministries and boards such as usher board, senior choir and men's choir, trustee board, financial board and superintendent of Sunday school. Of all his accommodations, the most rewarding was that of an ordained deacon, a spiritual role he continued at Flagg Chapel Baptist Church in Milledgeville, Ga. Lou was also affiliated with the Fraternal Order of Police, 100 Black Men, Men and Women of Justice, The Guardians as well as a previous member of the Masons. Lou's reputation has been that of a dynamic leader and servant, who has always maintained great integrity. Of all of his accomplishments, his total enjoyment and fulfillment came from spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and extended family. He was a man who loved family and all of his family loved him. Louis was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Jimmy; and two sisters, Mae Thula Jackson and Wanena Hutcherson Nabors. He leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 55 years, Nancy; three daughters, Deanne (Brandon) Thomas, of Ellenwood, Ga., Denise (Cedric) Wright, of Conyers, Ga., and Deborah Butler, of Conyers, Ga.; and two sons, Louis Jr., of New Haven, Conn., and James (Jennifer), of Tybee Island, Ga. He also leaves 11 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; a brother, Hubert Jr. (LaRue), of Vandergrift; a sister, Caroel (the Rev. Robert) Mills, of New Castle, Pa.; a foster brother, William Smith, of Vandergrift; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and many, many friends.
Family and friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday in the DUNMIRE-KERR & ROWE FUNERAL HOME INC., 244 Franklin Ave., Vandergrift, and from 10 a.m. until time of services Friday in the Vandergrift Presbyterian Church (everyone is asked to go directly to the church).
To leave an online condolence, visit us at www.dunmirekerr.com.