Johnnie D. Hutson

Johnnie D. Hutson (known to some as JD, Jay, or John), age 82, was born March 22, 1941, in Monticello, Arkansas, to the late Jack C. and Janie (Collins) Hutson. He was the oldest of nine children born from their union. Raised in Detroit, Michigan, he was educated at Western High School, where he graduated in 1959 with honors and attained a basketball scholarship.

John served honorably in the United States Air Force from 1960 until 1966 achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant. His experience in the Air Force played an important role in his life. Those that knew him knows his love for airplanes. Enlisting in the military enhanced that passion and continued to grow throughout his life. As an Aircraft Mechanic Technician, one of his greatest opportunities was to work on the infamous F4 Fantom. John's final post was K. I. Sawyer Air Force Base in Marquette, Michigan where he was awarded the Air Force Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Good Conduct Medal, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship, National Defense Service Medal, Longevity Service Award Ribbon, and received an honorable discharge.

After entering into civilian, he started his career as a manufacturing worker with Dayton, Tire and Rubber Company and quickly excelled to becoming the youngest supervisor in the plant. Shortly, thereafter, John transferred to the United States Post Office as an electronic technician, where he was an exemplary colleague reaching the highest grade level in his field and awarded Special Achievement Award for his superior work performance. He worked twenty-three years before his retirement in 2006.

John was a faithful member of St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church in Dayton, Ohio, where he was baptized into Christ by Reverend Sylvester Walker. He was a decades-long member serving on the Deacon board. In his younger days, he was a fearless bowler, and you could always hear him say, "bring it down to me". He loved bicycling, traveling, and fast cars. With the passion of airplanes still brewing in his soul, at the age of 61, he began his journey pursuing his pilot license. Eighteen months later, he accomplished that goal. On December 17, 2004, he received his pilot license and certification to fly three different, single-crop airplanes.

John Hutson departed this life on June 13, 2023. He leaves to cherish a lifetime of memories with his loving companion, Nancy Armentrout; his two sons, Andre (Sandra) Hutson and Brian (Ena) Hutson and two daughters, Catina (Renesto) Curry and Pamela Grundy; Two aunts, Dean Collins and Cora Williams and one uncle, Ed (Cloveane) Collins all of Monticello, Arkansas; Eight siblings, one brother Clarence (Nichelle) Hutson, seven sisters: June Chapman, Coddie Jones, Mary Jones, Jacqueline Moore, Jeannette Richardson, Murrin Shannon, Vanessa (James) Warren; fourteen grandchildren, one grand-daughter who preceded him in death, twenty-eight great-grandchildren; A former wife, Lillian Hutson; his goddaughter, Kathy Blalock, and a host of nieces, nephews, and special friends.

A funeral service will be held at St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church on Friday June 23, 2023 at 1:00 pm. He will be laid to rest at Dayton National Cemetery with military honors on Wednesday June 28th, 2023 at 9:00 am.