John Hutchinson

John Guiher Hutchinson, 89, of Charleston died Friday, May 31, 2024, in Atlanta. He was the loving husband of Berry, devoted stepfather and father to Drew, Tommy, Johnny, and Wen, proud grandfather to many, and dedicated to his home of Charleston and the State. He graduated from Charleston High School and West Virginia University, where he was a Sigma Nu, member of the United States Air Force ROTC, and a distinguished military graduate. He was a member of St. Matthews Episcopal Church, served on its vestry, and sang in its choir.

Following graduation, John was a commissioned officer and served in the Air Force from 1956 to 1958. His assignments included being part of the staff of Columbine III, President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s personal airplane. He was in the Air Force active reserve until 1962 when he went into the inactive reserve as a captain. Following his service, he worked for his father’s insurance business and was elected Charleston’s City Treasurer in 1967.

John served as Charleston’s thirty-second Mayor from 1971 to 1980 and was the youngest mayor in the city’s history. John’s administration spearheaded the development of Charleston’s urban renewal project, then referred to as the “super block.” This project led to the development of Town Center, construction of the Civic Center and Marriott, and successfully secured the retail tax base within the city. During his three terms, the city opened five new community centers, constructed the first two municipal parking garages in downtown and the Virginia Street underpass, engineered a system of storm sewers citywide, and expanded the city’s sanitary sewer system services by fifty percent. John worked with Nelson Jones to start the Sternwheel Regatta and Governor Arch Moore to ensure Interstates 64, 77, and 79 intersected within the city. And the free ambulance service and free trash bag programs were instituted under his leadership while balancing the budget after inheriting a deficit and cutting taxes. John resigned as Mayor following a special election in 1980 to become a member of the United States House of Representatives and the 96th Congress. Following his service in Congress, John was a financial advisor in Charleston until he retired.

John served four years on the Board of Directors United States Conference of Mayors, was the Former President of Charleston Lions Club, Former President of Charleston Light Opera Guild, a Member Board of Directors First Empire Federal Savings and Loan where he served as Chairman of the Audit Committee, a Member of the Board of the Charleston Civic Center, and a Former Trustee of the University of Charleston.

He was preceded in death by his wife Julia Roseberry Thomas Hutchinson, father Edwin Berry Hutchinson, mother Mary Melissa Guiher Hutchinson, brother Edwin Berry Hutchinson, Jr., and grandson Thomas Owens Hutchinson.

He is survived by stepsons Andrew Allemong Payne III and wife Mary, James Kay Thomas Payne and wife Dee, sons John Guiher Hutchinson Jr. and wife Katherine, and William Owens Lewis Hutchinson, twelve grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren.

A service for family and friends will be held in Charleston in the fall and will be announced at a later time.