James "Jim" Donald Hutchins

James Donald (Jim) Hutchins, 81, of Dandridge, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, April 4, 2021. Jim was born in Knoxville, TN to Ralph and Leta Hutchins. He attended Young High School (1957) and Carson Newman College (1961) where he played football. Jim is also a graduate of Memphis State School of Law (1974). He has lived in Dandridge for the last 38 years. He loved the Town of Dandridge and after 40 years practicing law he became Dandridge’s Town Administrator in 2005. Jim and Rae also owned Thomas Tavern Gifts and Smoke Shop and after retiring from the Town of Dandridge, you could find Jim there mixing his own blends of tobacco. Jim was serving on the Board of Trustees at Hopewell Presbyterian Church. Previously, he had served as Chairman of the Dandridge Historic Planning Commission and was a Board Member for Safe Harbor Child Advocacy Center and Safe Space of East Tennessee. Jim took great pride in his children and loved watching them participate in any activity. He coached them in football, basketball, and baseball during their youth years. In addition, he spent many hours in the stands watching them compete in a wide variety of sports and school events. He was also President of several Booster Clubs as serving and helping youth sports was a passion for him. If you knew Jim, you know how much he loved football or any other sport or competition. He was an avid, if not great, golfer. Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Leta Hutchins, and his beloved daughter Janet Hutchins. He is survived by his wife of 55 years Rae Hutchins; son Jimmy (Kelley); son Erik (Andra); daughter Julie Taylor (Adam); son Jon (Lynde). His family is what brought him the most joy, his greatest loves were his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Emily, Wesley, Luke, Alexandra, Reese, Halle, Alyson, Tate, Jake, Kai, Drake and McKinley who always brought a smile to his face, along with so many laughs and wonderful memories. He loved their visits and enjoyed taking them to Tinsley Bible Drug Store for a milkshake. You would often see Jim in and around town with a grandchild, or his dogs, by his side. A celebration of life service will be held at the Field of Dreams Activity Center, 114 Treadway Drive in Dandridge on May 2, 2021 at 2:00 PM. The family will have a gathering of friends beginning at 1:00 to 2:00 PM before the service. In lieu of flowers, the family ask that you donate to one of the following: • Safe Space of East Tennessee 636 Middle Creek Road Suite 3 Sevierville, TN 37862 www.safesspacetn.org Jim served on the Board of Directors for many years and was an advocate for working to end domestic violence and empowering victims and educating the community. • Dandridge Field of Dreams Activity Center Town of Dandridge P. O. Box 249 Dandridge, TN 37725 www.dandridgefieldofdreams.com Jim was very active in helping bring the Activity Center to life for the Town of Dandridge and youth of the community.