Edgar Irving Hutchings

How do up sum up 101 years in a few short paragraphs?  I have found it impossible especially when that person is Ed Hutchings.  The following are just a few examples from his life. There will never be another like him and he will be missed.

Edgar Irving Hutchings, 101, passed from this earth on January 26, 2024.  He was born on August 6, 1922 in Denison, Texas to William Hutchings and Elise Shendel Hutchings.

Ed spent his childhood in Denison, Texas. His father worked for the railroad where he was known for being able to tell the rail car’s content and delivery point by memory.  His mother stayed busy raising three sons and a daughter.  At the early age of six Ed was hunting and fishing on his own.  A squirrel or rabbit cooked on an open fire was always a treat.  He loved being out in nature all his life.

Ed joined the Navy to serve our country during World War II.  He was stationed at the Philippine Islands where he repaired airplanes that were damaged during missions. After the war ended Ed was honorably discharged from the Navy.  He attended a USO dance held in Houston where Fay Jane Williams, at the insistence of her sister, was also attending.  Six weeks later they became Mr. and Mrs. on July 1, 1949.   Fay was the love of his life for 64 years, she passed away in 2013, but his love for her has stayed strong and now they are with each other forever.  Together they had Robert Lee, Kay Lynn and Sue Ellen while living in San Antonio.  The family moved to Portland, Texas in 1962.  This family was Ed’s greatest joy.  Together they were always on the go.  Weekends were spent fishing or water skiing, and summers were for camping trips.  Holy Ghost canyon in New Mexico was a favorite camping destination with trips taken to Yellowstone National Park and all national and state parks in between. Ed loved nature and he shared this love with his family.  He would often spread a blanket over the grass in the back yard after dark and he and the kids would watch the sky hoping to see a shooting star.  Candle time was also a special occasion with the family.  The house would be dark except for the light from one candle which was the gathering spot for the family to sit and share stories and feelings.  Ed was not without his mischievous side.  He would delight in playing practical jokes or telling ghost stories during thunderstorms.  He would laugh harder than the receipts of his pranks.  The family always loved getting him to retell the time he pretended to be a ghost when Bob had friends over to spend the night in the backyard.  He could never talk about that night without bursting into a very contagious laughter.  All would be in tears from laughing so hard.

Ed began working for Royal Typewriter Company and after a short time he went to work for General Electric as a salesman.  He sold large appliances to retail stores.  One thing he and his family enjoyed about this job was that he would get the very latest in large appliances to try out at home, such as, the color TV and a refrigerator that had ice and water in its door.  He was very successful at this, earning trips to Europe and several other destinations.  This being Ed and Fay’s desire to visit even more countries.  Scotland and Ireland became favorites as well as Alaska here in the states.  One of Ed’s favorite trips was to Washington DC where he learned so much about the history of the United States. Upon returning from GE in 1993 he and Fay moved to Gonzales to be closer to family.  Here they enjoyed square dancing and getting together with friends to play cards or dominoes.

Ed is survived by his three children Bob Hutchings and wife Terry, Kay Lilly and husband Bob, and Sue Gottwald and husband Kenneth.  Seven grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren including Bob and Terry’s two daughters Julie Mayo, husband  Rayan and son Grant, Kelly Fields and husband Rayan, Kay and Bob’s two daughters April Faul, husband Eric and two sons Connor and Ethen, Kasey Clarke and husband Andrew, Sue and Kenneth’s three sons Ross and wife Sarah and children Emily, Hannah and Hutch,  James and wife Katy and daughters Kennedy and Delaney,  Steven and wife Ashley and children, twins Addilyn and Cassidy, and son Kenneth.

Graveside funeral services will be held at 3:00 pm on Friday, January 26, 2024, at the Harwood Cemetery with Dr. Matt Pennington officiating. Honorary pallbearers: Julie Mayo, Kelly Fields, April Faul, Kasey Clarke, Ross Gottwald, James Gottwald, and Steven Gottwald. Memorials May be made to the Harwood Cemetery Association.  Friends may leave their condolences to the family by visiting www.seydlerhillfuneralhome.com.  Services are under the care and direction of Seydler-Hill Funeral Home.