Richard “Rick” Hutsell

Richard “Rick” Hutsell, Sr., 77, of Hemphill, died Tuesday, December 18, 2018, at Woodland Heights Medical Center, Lufkin. He was born February 19, 1941, in Dallas, to Wanda Easley Hutsell and Fred James Hutsell.

Rick graduated from Port Neches-Groves High School in 1959. He played the saxophone in the school band and in a band that made a record.   He was so good at it, he played it for extra money when he was younger. He went on to graduate from Lamar University with an Electrical Instrumentation degree among others. He worked for Gulf, Texaco, Synpol, and Huntsman. He retired from Huntsman after many years and moved to the lake.

He was married to his best friend and his first love, Jo Ann, for sixty years. They were very much in love. They met in Jr. High and fell in love at first sight and have been together since. Jo Ann has had bad arthritis and scoliosis in her back for years. He has taken great care of her putting his own needs last. He would have done anything for her, and she would have done anything for him.

Family was the most important thing to him. He took them on vacations, camping, to the beach and fishing all throughout their life. They had a beach cabin that he loved to spend time at. He always put his family first and was self-sacrificing to his own needs for them.   Needless to say, he was devoted to them. Rick even took great care of his mother for many years after his dad died; driving almost 3 hours every week to take her to the doctor and grocery store. Eventually, he moved her down to the lake in a little home he built for her behind his house so he could take better care of her. She then had to be put in assisted living, but still, he and his wife would visit her often and make sure she had what she needed. He raised his grandson, Kelton, for five years like he was his own son and a few years ago his sister moved in with him after she lost her husband. She was a blessing to Rick and Jo Ann.

To say the least Rick was a very kind, caring, loving, giving, and smart Christian man. He was a member of Crime Stoppers in Port Neches in his younger years, was very involved in church, and he volunteered at the Salvation Army missions for seventeen years. He was the most amazing husband, father, grandfather, friend, uncle, and neighbor that anyone could ask for. We have been blessed to be a part of his wonderful life. He will be missed greatly, but we know he is in a better place. We are all looking forward to reuniting with him one day in heaven. This is not “good-bye” but “we will see you soon.”  

Survivors include his wife of sixty years, Jo Ann Hutsell; sons, Rick Hutsell, Jr., and his wife, Melinda, all of Hemphill and Kirk Hutsell, of Nederland; daughter, Belinda Mitchell and her husband, Kenny, of Beaumont; three grandchildren, Kelton Hutsell and Jolyn and Angelica Mitchell; two great-grandchildren, Kinsley and Karis Williams; and sister, Sharon Trahan.

He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Ronnie Trahan; and in-laws, Gladys and Dalton Trahan.

A gathering of Mr. Hutsell’s family and friends will begin at 12:00 p.m., with his funeral service at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, December 22, 2018, at Broussard’s, 505 North 12th Street, Nederland. A family committal will follow at Oak Bluff Memorial Park, Port Neches.

Memorial contributions may be made to Salvation Army, P.O. 1712, Hemphill, Texas 75948.