James P. Hutchinson, Jr.

James Peter Hutchinson Jr., husband of Lynn Davis Hutchinson passed away Thursday, March 8th after a brief illness. 

Jay, “J.P.”, was born in Huntington, West Virginia, on April 22, 1947, son of Harriett Moss Hutchinson and the late James Hutchinson. 

Baptized at age 9 at Westmoreland Baptist Church, Jay was a committed servant at First Baptist Church of Ashland.  He served First Baptist in various capacities as a Sunday School Teacher, Deacon, Trustee, as well as a small group leader and Shepherd.  He was also actively involved in the Upward Basketball ministry for over 10 years and loved singing in the choir.

He was a graduate of Vinson High School, Berea College, and received his Masters of Education at Marshall University and Principal Certificate at Morehead State University.  Jay was an educator at both Boyd County Schools and Ashland Independent Schools.  He was a coach and teacher at Cooper Elementary, assistant principal and principal at Boyd County High School, principal at Paul Blazer High School, and teacher and assistant principal at Verity Middle School. 

He was an avid volunteer for the Ashland community.  Jay was a member of the Ashland Breakfast Kiwanis Club, serving as president and board member.  One of his favorite programs with Kiwanis was the “BUG” program in four different elementary schools.  . In addition Jay volunteered for the Youth Education Series program at the Paramount Arts Center where he enjoyed greeting the children as they exited their buses.  He enjoyed touching the lives of children not only through his educational positions but also through his community volunteer service He also volunteered for various organizations such as CASA. 

Jay enjoyed meeting with his R.O.M.E.O. group that met every Friday at various restaurants where they discussed how to solve the problems of the world.  Although a native West Virginian and graduate of Berea College, he also became an avid University of Kentucky basketball and football fan. 

Jay is survived by two sons, Jason Hutchinson (Jennifer) of Cincinnati , Ohio and Andrew Bowling (Ondine) of Lexington, and one daughter, Julie Kale (Paul) of Taylorsville, North Carolina, and six grandsons; Hunter Kale, Ryan Smith, Peyton, Landon, Camdon, and Jon Asher Hutchinson; and a host of extended family and friends.  Besides his children, grandchildren, and extended family and friends, he is survived by his mother, Harriett Hutchinson of Huntington, West Virginia.

He will also be missed by his four-legged family; Gracie, the cat, Duffner and Lucy, the dogs.

Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 13, 2018, at First Baptist Church in Ashland with words of comfort provided by Rev. Dr. Steve Willis, Rev. Dr. Jason Hutchinson and Rev. Adam Smith. Burial will follow in White Chapel Memorial Gardens in Barboursville, Wva.

Visitation will be from 6 until 9 p.m. Monday, at the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to First Baptist Church of Ashland.

Condolences may be sent to www.steenfuneralhome.com.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.