Gary R. Hutson

Gary Rand Hutson “Colonel”, age 85, passed away peacefully at his home on September 9, 2025. He was born to Theo and Alice (Louck) Hutson on April 6, 1940, in Grand Rapids, MI. Gary graduated from Morley High School in 1958. 

After graduation, Gary worked as a Technician for The Department of Military Affairs and served over 36.5 years in the U.S. Army Michigan National Guard where he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. 

On June 18, 1960, he married Kathleen Marie Battle, his loving wife of over 65 years at St. Ann’s Church in Paris, MI. Gary and Katie had 3 children- Robert Louis, Duane Alan and Dawn Marie. 

After retirement Gary worked part time at Portland Country Club and at The Wagon Wheel. When he wasn’t working, he enjoyed traveling with Katie, casino trips with friends, bowling, playing cribbage, coin collecting and hunting. He took yearly trips in the motor home with his cousins to watch racing in Boone, Iowa and out hunting in Wyoming. Golf was his passion, and you could find him on a golf course any opportunity he could get (as long as it met two of three parameters). He said it had to be above fifty degrees, sunshine and no wind. As long as there were at least two of those things, you could almost always find him at Portland Country Club or Huckleberry Creek with his blackberry brandy. Whenever Gary was at home, you’d catch him reading his kindle, watching the history channel or out having a “garage smoke”. He was full of one liners and loved joking around with his family. The last year he spent a lot of time in his chair watching the digital frame with pictures of his family… especially his great granddaughter Charlotte who was “his beautiful little girl”. She brought him so much joy in his final years. 

Gary is survived by his wife Kathleen Hutson, children Robert (Heather) Hutson, Duane Hutson, Dawn (Mark Platte) Hutson, grandchildren Tara Hutson, Kevin (Crystal Smith) Blundy, Tori (Raymon) Rahall, Taylor Hutson, Travis Hutson, and eight great grandchildren. 

He is proceeded in death by his mother Alice Evelyn, father Theo Frank, brothers Nile and Jack Hutson and grandson Ryan Hutson. 

Gary will be sorely missed by all of those who knew and loved him. He can now be at peace, free of pain and reunited with his beloved dog Toby (Turds) and grandson Ryan. 

A special thank you to Gary’s friend Brian Stewart, neighbors Claud and Donna Huhn, Ken and Maryjane Hoppes, Jon and Jean Shattuck for all their love, support and dedication to Gary over the years.

The funeral will take place at 12:00 p.m., Saturday, September 13, 2025 at Lehman Funeral Home, Portland.  Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the service begins. Online condolences may be made at www.lehmanfuneralhomes.com.

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