Larry James Hutchinson

Larry James Hutchinson, 82, of Lynchburg, Virginia, went to be with the Lord on February 12, 2025. He was a devoted husband; loving father, grandfather, brother, and uncle; a faithful friend; and an example of God’s love to all he encountered. He was the son of the late Gerald William “Bill” Hutchinson and Bertha Sluder Hutchinson. He was married to Carolyn Skinner Hutchinson for 59 years.

Larry was born on February 11, 1943, in Alcoa, Tennessee, and raised in Maryville, Tennessee. He graduated from Porter High School in 1962 and then attended Tennessee Institute of Electronics in Knoxville, Tennessee, where he studied Electronics Technology. He moved to Lynchburg, to work for General Electric.

In Lynchburg, he met his wife, Carolyn. They were married at Beulah Baptist Church on October 9, 1965. The young couple moved briefly to Roanoke, Virginia, and Covington, Virginia, as Larry pursued his career. They eventually settled back in Lynchburg to raise their family.

The most important things to Larry were his faith, his family, and his love of music. He had a witty sense of humor and a twinkle in his eye, and he entertained his family smiling and making jokes, even to his last day. In remembering Larry, “love” is the word that comes to mind.

Larry was a devoted Christian who believed in the biblical gospel. From a young age, Larry always believed in God and sought a deeper understanding of the truth. His studies of the Bible made him realize that salvation is a free gift and that once you are saved, you are always saved. As a free grace believer, Larry often witnessed to anyone who would listen. Some of his favorite Bible verses included Eph. 2:8-9, Rom.11:6, Rom. 4:5, Rom. 3:25, and John 3:16.

Larry had a deep love for his family. He was a great father who always provided for his family and made sure his son and daughter had anything they needed. He loved checking in with loved ones to see how they were doing. He was an amazing Papa to his 2 grandsons and enjoyed making memories with them and playing video games. He loved going to family reunions to see his family from Tennessee. In 2023, he was thrilled to join his family in Maryville to celebrate his mother’s 100th birthday. He lovingly honored his vows and remained devoted to his wife, serving as her primary care giver as her health declined in recent years, never leaving her side.

Larry’s daughter, Jennifer, fondly recalls her dad’s kind and loving nature and his passion for all living things. A favorite memory she cherishes is going fishing with her dad only to have him set the nightcrawlers free because he did not have the heart to hurt them. This is how Larry lived his life, with love and compassion. In later years, he maintained a large fish aquarium and tended to it with loving care. He considered it an honor to care for God’s creation.

Larry loved music and had an amazing talent of playing piano in Floyd Cramer’s slip-note style, a passion he shared with his son, Frank. He would explain that adding harmony notes to bend music gave it that unique touch. Through music, he was able to express his feelings and emotions and found it to be a form of therapy. He greatly enjoyed playing music with his son and bonding over their special talent.

Larry’s brother Howard and his wife, Judy, once took Larry and Carolyn on vacation to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, Tennessee. The tour included a visit to the Historic RCA Studio B where they saw Floyd Cramer’s original piano, so Larry wanted to have his picture taken sitting at the piano. It was against the policy for anyone to touch the keys, but Howard insisted Larry could play the piano the same or better than Cramer. The guide allowed Larry to play so he chose “Last Date.” The audience in the room was so impressed they demanded another song. He then played “The Twelfth of Never.” He played so well that a couple from England later approached him thinking he was the real Floyd Cramer. Larry loved being compared to his favorite musician, and he loved sharing the story of this incredibly special moment in his life.

Larry is survived by daughter Jennifer Hutchinson Kelley and son Frank William Hutchinson (significant other, Karen Lynette Alexander); grandsons Wyatt Russell Kelley (fiancée, Grace Carwile) and River Greyson Hutchinson; brother Howard Delmas (Judy) Hutchinson; and nieces and nephews Danny Hutchinson, Rodney (Karen) Hutchinson, Kristi Hutchinson, Jeff (Kerry) Harris, John (Nicki) Harris, and James (Virginia) Harris, and Victoria Brewster.

Larry dedicated his final years to caring for his wife, Carolyn, with the help of some very special individuals who have been a blessing. The family wishes to express their gratitude for Carolyn’s in-home care givers, Samantha Pollard and Belinda Mitchell, and their supportive family Emmet Mitchell, Malik Christian, Trinity Christian, and Briauna Fitch.

The family also wants to thank long-term friends, Carroll and Carol Amiss, for the care, concern, and assistance they have provided for Larry and Carolyn over the years.

In addition to his parents, Larry is preceded in death by his son, Brent Alan Hutchinson; sister, Judy Karen Harris; and brother-in-law James “Jim” Herman Harris, M.D.

A visitation will be held on Friday, February 21, 2025, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Tharp Funeral Home and Crematory. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at 2 p.m. at Tharp Chapel with Pastor Josh Woodcock officiating. A graveside service will follow at Virginia Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to American Heart Association.

Pallbearers will be Wyatt Kelley, Ray Flanagan, Paul Begley, Lou Thornsbury, Chris Thornsbury, Kevin Tolley, and Charlie Beard.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Allen Edmondson and Emmet Mitchell.

Tharp Funeral Home, Lynchburg, is assisting the family.