Larry Dean Hutcheson

Larry worked in the education field in Florida and Georgia for most of his professional life. His favorite job, though, was his last one. He came out of his “third retirement” and found his life's passion: helping men and women who were released from federal prison to find employment or get back into school.

He was an “education evangelist”. He shared with people the good news that they really could get the degree or certificate they had always dreamed of and he assisted in the process. He also loved to talk about God and the Book of Life as he called it. He would beam, speaking of the clothes closet he had established at work using clothing donations from friends and acquaintances. It was a blessing for many, many folks after they got out of prison.

For the last couple of years, First Baptist Church Pensacola was one of his favorite places to go. First Baptist was such a blessing. He got baptized and joined the church in December. After that, he wore his baptism T-shirt anytime it was clean.

There's so much that can be said about the lifetime of someone. How can you cover 79 (almost 80) years in a few paragraphs? But this at least gives you a glimpse.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Edgar and Juanita (Anderson) Hutcheson, two brothers (Jimmy and Kenny) and his first wife, Ruth (Robertson) Hutcheson.

He is survived by his brother, Jay, his second wife, Mary Bedford, and his children: Lisa, Sarah, Ann, John, Tina, Stacey, and Casey—and an unofficially adopted “8th child,” Jamie Hayes (neighbor and friend). He is also survived by many beloved grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He also leaves behind many, many friends and his “peeps”—the men and women he helped find jobs and get into school. They affectionately called him “Mr. Larry.”

His dog Gracie (a feisty and smart 14-year-old Chihuahua mix) also followed him in death shortly after he passed.

Dad, Pops, Mr. Larry is in heaven now. He is gone from here but alive with Jesus. Be sure you see him again someday! He would really love that.

In lieu of flowers, please do something nice for someone today. Buy a meal for the person on the street corner, pay for the order of the person behind you in line, give someone a smile. He would have done the same.