11/07/2023

Obituary for Daniel "Danny" Hutcheson

Past President of the Georgia Funeral Directors' Association

James Daniel “Danny” Hutcheson, age 64 of Buchanan, fought a good fight, but on Monday, November 6, 2023, his journey ended and he went to be with his Lord and Savior. Born in Rockmart, Georgia, on June 30, 1959, he was the only child of the late James “Jimmy” Hutcheson and the late Jo Ann Daniel Hutcheson. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his in-laws, Everett and Mildred Simpson; aunts, Frankie Hadley and Marie Ezzell; and uncles Larry Hutcheson, Harrell McDowell, and Fred Ezzell.

A 1977 graduate of Haralson County High School, Danny continued his education at West Georgia College and was a 1982 graduate of Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service.  Danny also attended Coosa Valley Tech where he received his EMT Basic and Paramedic certification.  Danny’s dream was to own his own funeral home and that dream was realized in 1983, when he and Patty opened their first funeral home in Buchanan.  They went on to open their second location in 2013 in Temple.  Danny had a strong commitment to serving families during their darkest days which he did with kindness, integrity, and compassion. 

Danny never met a stranger and enjoyed talking and joking with everyone, especially his breakfast table buddies. Danny was totally committed to his community. In 2004,  he was elected Coroner of Haralson County and proudly served in that capacity for 4 terms. Giving back to the community was deeply ingrained in his personality.  He served as a member of the Buchanan City Council for two terms, the Buchanan Housing Authority for more than 30 years, the Haralson County Development Authority for 19 years, and more than 20 years on the Carroll/Haralson Airport Authority. Danny was also a member of the Buchanan Masonic Lodge #78 F&AM. As a member of the Buchanan United Methodist Church, he served several years as Administrative Council Chair.  In the past, Danny had served as Youth Director at Rockmart First UMC and pastored several churches including Pleasant Grove UMC and District Line UMC.

Danny loved the funeral profession and was a member of the Georgia Funeral Directors’ Association where he served as President in 1999, was a member of the Academy of Graduate Embalmers for many years, as well as the National Funeral Directors Association, and the Cremation Association of North America.  Danny was a member of the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice, Inc. for 26 years, where he earned the designation of Certified Funeral Service Practitioner and served on the Board of Trustees for 6 years as well as serving as President for 2 years. One of his greatest enjoyments was spending hours on a funeral convention floor visiting with old friends and making new ones.

But Danny’s greatest accomplishment was his family.  Left to cherish his memories are his wife of 43 years, Patty Simpson Hutcheson; his daughter and son-in-law, Kathryn and Chase Croft; and his precious granddaughters who fondly called him “Big Daddy,” Kaylee and Kennedie Croft.  Also surviving are his aunts, Shelia McDowell of Buchanan and Elaine Hutcheson of Buchanan; his uncles, Ralph and Bonnie Hutcheson of Cedartown and Rex Hadley of Waycross; his sister-in-law and husband, Joan and Steve Ballenger of Carrollton; his brother-in-law and wife, Gary and Karon Simpson of Bremen; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and other family and many, many friends.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, November 9th, at Hutcheson's Memorial Chapel from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM.  Danny will lie-in-state at Tallapoosa East Baptist Church from Noon until the funeral hour on Friday.

Funeral services for Danny Hutcheson will be conducted on Friday, November 10, 2023, at 2:00 PM from Tallapoosa East Baptist Church with the Honorable Judge Eddie Hulsey, colleague Kenny Coggins, Rev. Dr. Mason Bush, and Patty Hutcheson presiding.  A private family interment will follow in the Pleasant Grove Cemetery with the following gentlemen serving as pallbearers: John Ballenger, Jaycen Simpson, Joseph Simpson, Mark Teal, Stan Ezzell, Josh Worthy, and funeral home staff.  Funeral Service colleagues will serve as honorary pallbearers.

Flowers will be accepted; however, Danny believed in giving back and the family would like to honor him by asking that you donate to one of Danny’s favorite charities;

Buchanan Food Bank, PO Box 342, Buchanan, GA  30113

Haralson County Ministries, PO Box 641, Bremen, GA  30110

Buchanan Friends of the Library, PO Box 338, Buchanan, GA  30113

Hutcheson’s Memorial Chapel & Crematory of Buchanan is deeply saddened but honored to serve one of our own.