Floris, Oklahoma was the birthplace of Garland Ray Hutchinson, born to Harry Millard and Vera (Washburn) Hutchinson, on May 18, 1925. He grew up the oldest of four children, living with his family in Turpin, OK. He passed away on December 9, 2021, at the age of 96 at Trego Community Lemke Memorial Hospital Long Term Care.
After graduating from high school, he attended Emporia State University and Blair Business College. Garland was employed by A.L. Duckwall Stores Company for 43 years, assisting and managing stores in Lamar and Springfield, CO, and Liberal, Dodge City, WaKeeney, Plainville, Oberlin, Ulysses, and Hugoton KS.
He was united in marriage to Loretta Faye Wells on August 21, 1949, in Liberal, KS. They celebrated 72 years of marriage. Two children were born to this union, Thomas Ray Hutchinson in 1950 and Connie Lea Hutchinson Busch in 1952.
Garland proudly served his country from 1943-1945 during WWII in the U.S. Army. He was in the 8th Infantry Division, 121st Regiment, 3rd Battalion, Company K, serving in Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, and Central Europe. He received a Bronze Star with an Oak Leaf Cluster, a Purple Heart, with an Oak Leaf Cluster, two overseas service bars, and the Combat Infantryman Badge. He was called back into service in 1950-1952 during the Korean Conflict and was a part of the 5th Army, headquartered in Chicago.
Garland had a variety of interests and hobbies. He enjoyed golf, cross country skiing, and sailing in his younger years, but his favorite past times after retirement were bird watching and constructing wooden bird houses, ornaments, plaques, and knickknacks for his family and friends. Garland most enjoyed building remote control airplanes, flying them, watching them soar through the air, and then bringing them in for a successful landing.
Garland is survived by his wife, Loretta, TCLMH Assisted Living, WaKeeney; son, Thomas R. (Cassandra) of Salina; daughter, Connie L. Busch, Hays; brother, Richard Hutchinson, Parker, CO, and sister, Norma Palmer, Phoenix, AR; grandsons, Bourke B. (Kari) Hutchinson, Gardner, and Roberto L. (Adriana) Busch, Hays; 4 great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, and their families.
Garland was preceded in death by his parents; brother Dean and sister-in-law, Billie Hutchinson; brother-in-law, Lloyd Palmer; sister-in-law, Dolores Hutchinson; and son-in-law Allan J. Busch, Jr.
Private family services will be held at Kansas Veteran’s Cemetery in WaKeeney at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be given to the Scholarship Fund, First United Methodist Church, or the WaKeeney Public Library. Donations may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th Street, WaKeeney, KS 67672.
Condolences may be left for the family by visiting www.schmittfuneral.com