Obituary: George Guy “Buck” Hutchison III

Buck Hutchison, a well-known businessman and longtime community leader, died July 10, 2024, at his home in Englewood, Colorado. He was 83 years old. Buck was born in Eldora, Iowa on November 5, 1940, the oldest of two children of his loving parents and business partners, Mary Jane (Snyder) Hutchison and George Guy Hutchison, Jr. Buck will be missed as a community leader, mentor, husband, father, grandfather, friend and a true legend. 

 Buck met his wife Marijane “Janie” Shover in 1956, on a double date picnic in Wapsipinicon State Park in Anamosa, Iowa, while they were in high school. Buck graduated in 1959 from West Delaware High School in Manchester, Iowa, and attended Florida State University the same year on a baseball scholarship. In his junior year he was drafted by the Cleveland Indians to play catcher in their minor league affiliate A team until an arm injury forced him to hang up his glove. Buck and Janie were married in January 1963, and Buck graduated from FSU in 1964 with a Bachelor of Science degree from the FSU School of Business. 

 After graduation, Buck returned to Manchester, Iowa to work in the family business, Hutchison, Inc., started by his father in 1952 as a wholesale lumber company. Shortly thereafter, Buck moved with his wife Janie to Colorado to open Hutchison-Western, the western division of Hutchison, Inc. Starting with his bonus from the Cleveland Indians, and almost nothing else, Buck built the company into the renowned agricultural product manufacturing and distribution company that it is today, employing over 150 employees in seven states, with manufacturing plants in three states, and serving customers across the country in almost every state. 

Buck, a philanthropist who served on many boards and committees of community and charitable organizations, was benevolent, thoughtful, and generous with his time, his money and his passion. He passionately supported youth education and the Western way of life and served in the many following ways:

• Roundup Riders of the Rockies, Lifetime member and rider for 25 years;
• Western Stock Show Association and National Western Rodeo and Livestock Show, Vice President of the Association (2004-18), Member Executive Committee (1996-2018), Chairman, Junior Livestock Sale Champions (1995-2020), President, Silver Spur Club (1995-2020), and Director and Trustee (1989-2020);
• Translational Medicine Institute, College of Veterinary Medicine, Colorado State University, Major Donor (2019)
• J. K. Mullen High School, President and Director of Board of Trustees (1987-2010), Chairman of the Athletic Committee (1983-1987);
• National High School Rodeo Association, Sponsor of rodeo equipment (2013-2024);
• Denver Rustlers, Supporting 4-H and the Colorado State Fair Junior Livestock Sale (1984-2020);
• University of Colorado Physical Therapy Scholarship and Endowment Advisory Board, Member (2017-2020);
• University of Denver, Janie and Buck Hutchison Endowed Scholarship Fund, established in 2017;
• Center for Agricultural Education, Colorado State University, Donor of Livestock and Equine Equipment (2013);
• Sewall House Rehabilitation Center, Board of Directors, President and Director (1974-1983);
• First Interstate Bank of Denver (now Wells Fargo Bank), Executive Board of Directors, Director (1995-1998);
• North America Wholesale Lumber Association (NAWLA), Executive Committee, Chairman and Director (2004-2009);
• Colorado Wildlife Heritage Foundation, Executive Committee Member, Director and Treasurer (1990-2000);
• Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors, Director (1998-2001);
• Denver Botanical Gardens, Board of Trustees, Treasurer, Finance Committee, Director (2002-2010);
• Sigma Chi Fraternity, Lifetime Member;
• Varsity Club of Florida State University, Lifetime Member;
• Association of Professional Ball Players of America, Lifetime Member;
• The 1870 Club at Colorado State University, Lifetime Member
• Ten Most Wanted Gentlemen’s Ride, Board of Directors, Member
• Denver Country Club, Member (1993-2024);
• Denver Athletic Club, Member (1963-2024);
• Garden of the Gods, Member (1970-2024); and
• Republican Party, Lifetime Member
• First Plymouth Congregational Church, Member (1972-2024)

In recognition of his many contributions to the agricultural community, Buck was inducted into the Colorado Farm Credit Services Hall of Fame (2018); presented with the Friend of the National Western Stock Show Award by The Red Meat Club (1993); presented with the National Western Stock Show Top Hand Award (2011); and was the recipient of the First Annual Award of Merit from the Global Network of Partners in the Lumber and Building Materials Industry (2006).

Buck is survived by his wife of 62 years, Janie Hutchison, his two sons, Shover Blakely Hutchison and Heath Christian Hutchison, his five granddaughters, Mikaela Jane Hutchison, Haeley Christine Hutchison, Morgan Blakely Hutchison, Alexis Caroline Hutchison and Claire Catherine Hutchison, and his sister Mary Hutchison Hirsch. 

A Celebration of Life will be held at 3:00 p.m., on August 10, 2024, at Mile High Station, located at 2027 W. Colfax Avenue, Denver, Colorado. The family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made to:

The National Western Scholarship Trust

Contact: Heather Covalt, (303) 299-5567, hcovalt@nationalwestern.com

  OR

The Mullen Fund, J.K. Mullen High School

3601 S. Lowell Blvd., Denver CO 80236

(303) 761-1764

www.mullenhigh.com/give-back-to-mullen/giveonline

Source: Horan & McConaty Funeral Service and Cremation