James “Hutch” Wallace Hutcheson, age 82, of Ducktown, passed away at his home Wednesday, July 21, 2021.
Hutch was born June 29, 1939, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to the late Clifton Gratis Hutcheson and Clara Dorothy Hutcheson. He was preceded in death by his parents; loving wife, Sandra Gene Martin Hutcheson; brother, Charles “Scrappy” Hutcheson; and a niece, Vicky Conner.
Hutch served as a police officer for 19 years, and was a retired EMT and surgical assistant. He served his community as Fire Chief of East Polk Fire and Rescue, Agency Director of Polk County Emergency Management, and as a member of the 911 Board of Directors. Hutch was also a past Master of the Ducktown Masonic Lodge Ducktown #241 F&AM, and a member of Scottish Rite of Chattanooga, Alahambra Shrine of Chattanooga, and Friendship Chapter #499 O.E.S. He was also the president of the Copper Basin Shrine Club. Hutch enjoyed gospel singing as a retired singer with Dixieland and New Calvary Trio and choir director at East 23rd Street Baptist Church and Oak Grove Baptist Church, both in Chattanooga. He was currently a member at New Vision Church.
Hutch is survived by his children and their spouses, Pat and Shawna Hutcheson of Ducktown, Jeff and Paula Hutcheson of Concord, North Carolina, Chris and Tonya Hutcheson of East Ridge, Tennessee, Lori Kwapil of Marietta, Georgia, Johnnie (Randy Reed) Clayton of Hixson, Tennessee, and Cynda and Mike Sims of Chickamauga, Georgia; grandchildren, Logan, Will, Drew, Jennefer, Cody, Chris, Christy, Michael, Heather and Amber; 14 great-grandchildren; sister and brother-in-law, Jeane and R.E. Hulgan of Flintstone, Georgia; nieces and their spouses, Nancy and Mike Miller and Susan and Mark Morgan.
The family will host a memorial service Sunday, August 29, 2021, at 1:30 p.m. from New Vision Church with Reverend Ricky Hicks, Reverend Freddie Leslie and Reverend Billy Waters officiating. Back to Bethany will provide the musical selections. Masonic Rites will be given by Ducktown Lodge #241. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Ducktown Masonic Building Fund at P.O. Box 734, Ducktown, Tennessee, 37326, or the Alahambra Shrine Transportation Fund at 1000 Alahambra Dr., Chattanooga, Tennessee 37421.
Condolences may be made to the family online at www.akinsfuneralhome.com.
Akins Funeral Home of Copperhill is in charge of the arrangements.