In Loving Memory of
John Thomas Cutchin
John Thomas “Tom” Cutchin, 87, entered his eternal rest on July 23, 2010 after a 5-month struggle to recover from a broken hip. He was the last surviving member of a family that originated in Cradock, Virginia having outlived mother Alice and father Raymond Cutchin, sister Margaret Weldon, and brothers
Reverand Jason Cutchin, and Sidney (Nick) Cutchin.
After graduating from Cradock High School, Tom met and married his lifelong love and companion Jean Doris West on October 24, 1942. Their life together was interrupted by the War in the Pacific, in which Tom served on the battleship U.S.S. Colorado. After surviving many enemy kamikaze attacks from which his vessel narrowly escaped sinking, he returned from the war and received a BA in Agricultural Engineering at Clemson University in 1952. He returned to Virginia where he went into the emerging field of rural electrification with the Virginia Electric and Power Company (now Dominion Resources). After rising to the position of regional manager, Tom retired from VEPCO after 33 years of service.
He was a member of the Kiwanis club and the Lake Drummond Masonic Lodge, as a fifty year Masonic member. He was a past president of the Suffolk Shrine Club and received numerous civic rewards from his service to the community.
Upon retirement Tom dabbled with a number of jobs in the Suffolk school system but his first love was always gardening. He always had a garden no matter where he lived and one of his prodigious tomato plants was even featured in the Northern Virginia Sun, when he had to tie it off to a second story bedroom window. He maintained massive gardens in Driver, Virginia and in his back yard well into his eighties.
Tom is survived by his wife of 67 years Jean Doris Cutchin; children John Jr. and Brenda Durham and husband Frankie; grandchildren Robbie Belcher and wife Cathy, Troy Cutchin and wife Jennifer, Aaron Belcher, Jennifer Blanchette and husband Aaron, Meghan Durham-Colleran and husband Patrick; great-grandchildren Mason, Cameron, and Lauren Cutchin and Adam Belcher; and sister-in-laws Doris Cutchin and Ruth Cutchin.
A Funeral Service will be conducted Tuesday, July 27, 2010 at 1 PM in Baker-Foster Funeral Home, 5685 Lee Farm Lane, Suffolk, VA 23435 by the Rev. Gary Vaughan with burial in Meadowbrook Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the building fund of Nansemond River Baptist Church, 2896 Bridge Road, Suffolk, Virginia. Condolences may be registered at www.bakerfoster.com
Condolences for
John Thomas Cutchin
Out of all the things Papaw did for me in my life, the greatest of all was setting an example for all of us. He was kind and patient, but did not tolerate bad attitudes or behavior. He was respectable to others and expected the same respect for himself. He was devoted to every cause he involved himself in, be it his marriage, the Masons, his church, or his garden. He loved to teach others and wanted people to learn from him. He embodied the American ideal of self-reliance. I will miss his homemade foods, seeing him wiggle his ears, and being fussed at for slamming the car door. But above all, I will miss what our family was with him in it. We'll see you when we get there. I think I love you, is that alright?
Meghan Durham-Colleran
Pap to me you are the world. You taught me manners, respect and everything else that a man should be. You showed me what its like to feel love. You are the first and only man that showed me what its like to be a man. I remember a long time ago in south carolina, sleeping with you and nanna. I would always listen to your breathing pattern and try to mimmic it to be just like you. I know everybody is sure going to miss all of those vegetables that you took so much pride in giving away to your family. Your love for the garden is what got me into the career field that i am in. I am so grateful for spending all that time with you in that garden.Pap. You will always be within me and I will always love you.Is that ok? I know it is. I take comfort in knowing that you are up there with your family, looking down on your family here. We love you!
aaron belcher
My thoughts and prayers are with the Cutchin Family. Crystal western branch family chiropractic
Crystal
He will always be remembered as you share the stories and the memories of how he lived his life and how very much he meant, may you find comfort...And, throughout this difficult time, may you also know the deep sympathy and concern that is felt for you and all your family. I have fought the fine fight, I have run the course to the finish, I have observed the faith.-2Timothy 4:7. As for me, I will lie down that I may sleep; I shall certainly awake, for Jehovah himself keeps supporting me. -Psalms 3:5
Magallon Family
On behalf of John's USS Colorado shipmates,we would like to send our deepest condolences to the Cutchin family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Les Pierce
You are in my prayers, Brenda. You were given the gift of spending time with your dad in the few months after his surgery. It seems that there's never enough time, but I'm positive that time you spent with him was special to you both.
MaryJane Shurlds
I would like to extend my deepest sympathy and prayers of comfort to the Cutchin and Durham families. Many Blessings!
Tara Needam
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