James Hutchins

On Tuesday, November 15, 2022, James Jackson (“Jim”) Hutchins, Sr. passed away after a brief illness.  He was eighty-eight.  Jim was born in St. Petersburg, Florida, to Hoyt and Annie Hutchins; he was one of nine siblings.  In 1954, Jim married his wife of 68 years, Edith U. Hutchins (Vittal).  They had three sons, Jim Hutchins Jr. (Debbie), Mike Hutchins (Donna), and Ed Hutchins, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  Jim attended St. Petersburg High School prior to enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 1951.  He retired from the Navy in 1975 as a Senior Chief Petty Officer, having served in the Korean War and Vietnam War. He received numerous decorations, commendations and medals for his service.  After his Naval service, Jim earned an Associates degree from Pensacola Junior College and returned to work for the U.S. government as a civilian at the Navy Public Works Center at Pensacola Naval Air Station for another 20 years, retiring in 1996.  Jim was a Navy man through and through, but his service to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was his lifelong passion.  He served in leadership roles at several churches, including Sunday School Director, Senior Adult Coordinator and as an ordained deacon.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Florida Baptist Children’s Homes.