John Hutton

September 16, 2014

Service Details

John Edward Hutton, Jr. passed away on September 16, 2014 at Taylor House Hospice in Des Moines, Iowa. Born January 25, 1927 in Des Moines, he was the son of John and Rosetta Hutton. John was preceded in death by his parents, wife Mary, son Ronald, sister Colleen Ryan, and brother-in-law David Ryan.

John grew up in East Des Moines and attended Willard Elementary School and Woodrow Wilson Junior High School. He graduated from Des Moines East High School and, in September of 1944, enlisted in the U.S. Navy. John served as Aircrewman, Radioman, and Aerial Gunner in the U.S. Navy from 1944-1948. He passed the required examination and was admitted to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis in 1948. Upon graduation in 1952, John was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Air Force, beginning a career of 28 years. While in the Air Force, he earned his pilot wings and qualified to pilot a number of different aircraft. In 1967 and 1968, during the Vietnam War, he flew over 300 combat missions while stationed at several bases in Thailand and Vietnam. After returning from Southeast Asia, John worked as an officer in engineering, material, logistics and supply until his retirement in 1980. During John’s military career, he received the American Defense Medal (with star), American Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Air Medal (with cluster), Vietnam Service Medal (with 3 stars), Presidential Unit Citation (with star), and the Air Force Meritorious Medal, among others. In 1980 John retired from the Air Force with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. That same year he returned to Des Moines and worked with the Iowa State Fair Maintenance Team until 1995.

John is survived by his wife Jane; son Curtis; daughter-in-law Nancy; step-daughter Kristin (Mike) Barry; brother-in-law Robert (Jan) Gustafson; nieces Linda (Ted) Nemmers, Nancy Ryan, Debbie Ryan, Kelley (David) Nickell, Stacey (Steve) Topp, Lynn (Larry) Doering, Debbie (Dale) Decker, and Shari Gustafson; nephews David (Connie) Ryan, Robin Gustafson, and Rodney Gustafson; grandchildren Mary Kathryne (Ryan Spears) Hutton, John Whitaker Hutton, Adam Barry, Sean Barry, and Kayla (Shane) Hanson; and great granddaughter Parker Hanson.

Visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m. and services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, September 19, 2014 with reception to follow, at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines. John will be buried in The Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter, Iowa at 11:00 a.m. Monday, September 22.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the following:
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 738
Attention: Travis Holden
2801 Dean Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50317
or other charity of the contributor’s choice.

Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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