James F. Jim Hutchison

James Franklin Hutchison, 86, of Asheville, died on Friday, April 13, 2012, at the John F. Keever, Jr. Hospice Solace Center, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Born on December 11, 1925, he was the son of the late Glen Alfred and Mildred Shipman Hutchison. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Daren; son-in-law, Harold Stepp; daughter-in-law, Pris Hutchison; and grandson, Robert Allan. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Margaret; daughters, Donna Stepp, of McLeansville, NC, and Dee Dee Allan (Gary), of Asheville; sons, Daren, of Little River, SC, and Jimmy (Diane), of Asheville. Also surviving him are grandchildren, Karen Richter (Scott), Dennis Stepp, Katie Wilkins (Brian), Scott Hutchison, Jenny Early (Dan), Aaron Allan, and Elizabeth Allan. He was also blessed with seven great-grandchildren: Galen, Brendan, Martha, David, Annelise, Isaac and Ben. Mr. Hutchison was a lifelong resident of Asheville. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Navy. He retired in 1980 after 30 years with the U.S. Postal Service, serving for many years as the carrier on Route 2 in Oteen. He was a faithful member of Trinity United Methodist Church, serving actively as Lay Leader, member and officer of the United Methodist Men, youth leader, Sunday School teacher, member of the Administrative Council serving as chairperson for Evangelism, and member of the YAH group. Mr. Hutchison was a loyal member of the Lee H. Edwards High School class of 1943, having served as the chairman of the 50th Class of '43 Reunion. He enjoyed attending the monthly meetings of his high school class, the Monday Evening Bible Study at Trinity UMC, and the Tuesday Morning Prayer Group at Malvern Hills Presbyterian Church. He was a great lover of family history and enjoyed attending family reunions in Nebraska. He served for many years as a team member in the United Methodists Volunteers in Missions program, working in Puerto Rico, Mexico, Costa Rica, U.S. Virgin Islands, Panama, Barbados and his beloved Haiti. A memorial service will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church, 587 Haywood Rd., on Tuesday, April 17, at 2:00 p.m. Private family rites will be held prior to the service at Green Hills Cemetery. A reception and visitation will follow the service in the church fellowship hall. At other times, the family will receive at the residence. Memorials are welcomed and may be made to Mission Manna (Haitian charity), P.O. Box 8215, Asheville, NC 28814; Volunteers in Missions, c/o Trinity United Methodist Church, 587 Haywood Rd., Asheville, NC 28806, or to a charity of your choice. Groce Funeral Home on Patton Ave. is assisting the family. opens in a new window