Melvin Taylor Hutson

A graveside service for Melvin Taylor Hutson, 88, of Gainesville is scheduled for 2 p.m. Tuesday, November 29, 2011 at New Resthaven Cemetery with David Morris officiating. A visitation will be at Geo. J. Carroll & Son Funeral Home from 6-7 p.m. on Monday, November 28, 2011. Mr. Hutson died Friday, November 25, 2011.



Melvin was born January 14, 1923 in Montague County, TX to Mack Taylor and Martha Henley Hutson. He married Ida Lou Richardson on April 6, 1947 in Swisher County, TX.



In 1941 Melvin graduated from Tulia High School in Tulia, TX. He was an outstanding athlete in school and was named Athlete of the Year his senior year. He went into the Army after school, serving in four major campaigns during WWII including the Battle of the Bulge. While in the service he was sent to Xavier University in Ohio.



After the war he returned to Tulia where he built houses with his brothers and got a job with the Soil Conservation Service but it was seasonal so he worked at any job he could find. He began farming in 1951 in the Vigo Park community of Swisher County. Melvin continued to participate in sports, playing baseball semi-professionally until 1952. He was also an avid golfer and bowler.



Melvin farmed in Swisher Count until 1963 when he and Lou bought a farm and ranch operation in Nebraska. They lived in and around Broadwater, NE for 25 years where they made many good friends. In 1986 Melvin and Lou moved to Gainesville, TX where they purchased A-OK Upholstery. The move also brought them close to his brothers and sisters and many good family gatherings and card parties. He also made lots of friends over coffee at the Fried Pie. After being in town with the upholstery shop for 22 years, they moved it out to a building beside their home in 2008 and semi-retired.



He is survived by wife Lou; daughter Cindy and husband Steve Wright; daughter Shellee Kotschwar; son Tommy and wife Janet, all of Gainesville; seven grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild; brother Edwin Hutson of Amarillo; sister-in-law Eunice Hutson of Bridgeport & many neices & nephews.