James Camden Hutchison, Jr. died December 30, 2024, in his 98th year. Jim is survived by seven children, Jimmy (Debbie), Bob (Debbie), David (Kathy), Carol (Dow), John (Shelly), Pete (Judy), and Elaine (Craig). He is also survived by 27 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren as well as the extended Griesemer family.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Janice (Costello) Hutchison, his wife of 20 years, Kathleen Griesemer, and his older sister, Dorothy Ann Rittershouse.

Jim was born in Springfield, MO on February 24, 1926, to James Camden, Sr., and Mabel Ruth (Coffelt) Hutchison, who also preceded him in death.

Jim, a lifelong Springfieldian, attended Rountree, Greenwood, and Drury College. Following high school Jim enlisted in the US Army Air Corps during WWII.

While in the Air Corps, he was first in his class in pilot training and played clarinet in the Air Corps band.

During his college days he met his future wife, Janice Costello. They were married August 28, 1948. Jim converted to Catholicism at this time and remained a devout Catholic throughout his life. Together they raised seven children who loved them both very much. They were parted when Janice died unexpectedly December 30, 2001.

Jim's work life began selling Chryslers for Martin Motor Company. He joined his father as sales manager for Hankins Surgical Supply after "Big Jim" bought the business.  Following his father's death, Jim became the beloved "Boss." Over the years several children and grandchildren worked for him at Hankins, as did many others Jim treated like family.

After his retirement, he would still go in to "the store" every day to bring the mail, read the Wall Street Journal in his office, and check that everything was going according to plan.

On April 24, 2004, Jim married Kathleen Griesemer. They filled a void in each other's life. They built a house together where they often entertained and enjoyed watching birds at their windows. They were parted December 2, 2024, when Kathy passed away.

Table Rock Lake was a favorite place of Jim's. He was speedboat captain so his kids and grandkids could ski. He and his best friend, Dick Loeb, built a boat dock on their lake property. Jim also enjoyed taking the kids for rides around the property on a Honda street bike. He and Janice built a lake house that many friends and family enjoyed.

Another special place for Jim was Colorado, particularly the Hahn's Peak area where his grandparents lived in the early 1900's. He and Kathy also made many trips to Kathy's family home in Breckenridge.

Jim had a passion for cars, especially the 1957 MGA that he and his sons owned. He was a member of Hickory Hills Country Club where he played tennis and golf. He served as board president for the Children's Home in Springfield.

He will be remembered by all as the consummate gentleman and a kind, loving father, father-in-law, grandfather, great-grandfather, boss, and friend. Donations in memory of Jim may be made to the Child Advocacy Center in Springfield.

We are so grateful to the incredibly caring and dedicated staff at Springhouse Assisted Living community as well as his caregivers from Home Instead and Seasons Hospice.