John Thomas Hutchinson

John Thomas Hutchinson, III of Benson, MN passed away on March 26th, 2017 at the age of 89 after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s.  A Celebration of his Life will be at a later date.

John T. Hutchinson was born May 15th, 1927 to John T. and Virginia Hutchinson in Lakewood, Ohio.  He was baptized, confirmed and graduated High School in Lakewood, OH.  He served in the U.S. Airforce from 1946 through 1948 and was stationed in Brazil.   Returning to Ohio, he worked as a Park Manager at Crane Creek State Park on the shores of Lake Erie.  He and his family moved to Minnesota in the late 1960’s.   He worked for the U.S Job Corps in Detroit Lakes and later moved to Benson, MN where he worked and retired from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  John’s passion was nature and teaching other’s about conservation and the care of nature, especially to his Grandchildren, Great-Grandchildren and countless other youth.  He was a gunsmith and an avid hunter and fisherman who loved to teach his craft to anyone who would listen.  His focus in gunsmithing was the building and restoration of muzzleloaders.  He was a Hunter Safety Instructor for over 40 years and if you were a youth in Benson who took the course, you were lucky enough to spend your field-day at his beloved “Hutch’s Outpost” where he resided for over 48 years.  He was involved in nature presentations for Boy Scouts of America and also enjoyed gathering with his closest friends, setting up his tipi and participating in Rendezvous/Mountain Man Re-enactments.  He felt his greatest gifts in life were his Family, his Friendships and Nature.  He was fortunate enough to be able to enjoy over 30 years of retirement doing all the things he loved.

John is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Sandra (Nelson) and Children: John Thomas (Marci Krattenmaker), Maria Virginia (Thomas Soosai), Matthew Webb (Melinda Trainor), Lance Austin (Heidi VanWeeleden), and Joy Virginia (Craig Kesteloot).  Grandchildren: Jennifer, Jill, Ian, Melia, Brandon, Taylor, Nicole, Jacob and Isaac.  Great Grandchildren: Logan, Elliot, Reese and Wyatt.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Ruth DeSantis Castellana, brother Robert (and Mayna) Hutchinson and his favorite Aunt Harriet “Hank” Calavan.

May he rest in peace.