James D. Hutton

James D. Hutton, 73, passed away at home on Saturday, July 8, after a lengthy illness.  He was born on October 10, 1949 in Anderson, Indiana, the son of the late Mary Lewis Hutton and Del  Hutton. 

Jim graduated from Anderson High School in 1967.  He attended Ball State University where he majored in Music and Theater.  Jim served in the U.S. Navy on the USS Ponchatoula which supplied fuel to aircraft carriers during the Vietnam War.  He was based out of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.   

He moved to South Bend, Indiana in 1980, where he met Salli.  They were married on February 14, 1981.  A job change took the family to Gainesville, Georgia in 1986. His love of music and acting continued in Georgia where he appeared in several productions with G.T.A. at Brenau University, appearing in Our Town, The Music Man, Crazy for You and The Front Page.  Jim did many print and television ads and had acting roles in the television series I’ll Fly Away, and In the Heat of the Night among many others over the years. He could memorize a script quickly and was always well-prepared for anything that came his way.

Jim had a successful career in sales, retiring from Lee Wayne Corporation in 2021.  He was a Jim

He had a big heart and was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone who needed it. Formula 1 racing, the Indy 500, and college football were his thing.  He liked to drive fast cars, Porsches in particular, and to camp in his VW Westfalia.  He was our family funny man and he kept us entertained on a regular basis. 

Jim is survived by his loving wife, Salli, sisters, Nancy Rich Mulcahy and Tricia Coffin, of Anderson, Indiana; daughters, Laura (Tim) Murray, Tallahassee, Florida and Jonica  Standridge of Gainesville, Georgia; grandchildren Grace (Brett) Murray Gajewski, Jack, Maggie, Emma and Charlotte Murray, all of Florida; William Standridge, of Gainesville, Georgia. A niece, Shellie (Tim) Rich Thomas, Indianapolis, Indiana and a nephew, Thom Rich, Anderson, Indiana.

The family would like to thank the staff at PruittHealth Hospice for their kind and sensitive care during Jim’s illness.  Their kindness and dedication to Jim and Salli meant so much during this difficult time.  Special thanks to Dr. Margaret Davis, Sandy Taylor, Heather McCreary, Charlie Dover, Mitzi Hansen, Amy Ferguson, and John Dillard, who was at the house within the hour when we lost power and needed additional emergency oxygen for Jim.  You made a difference and we are extremely grateful.

Per Jim’s wishes, there will be no service or viewing.  A private celebration of life will be held at a later date. Little and Davenport Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Those wishing to send online condolences may do so at littledavenport.com