Charles Hutchinson

Charles Hutchison Charles Hutchison "Chuck", passed away early morning February 8, 2015 at the Parkview Nursing home due to natural causes.  He was born on February 24, 1929, to Minnie (Kuchler) and James Hutchison in Beaverhead County.  He spent his early childhood in the Dubois/Humphrey Idaho area, and from an early age Chuck was very independent and had his own ideas about how things should be.  When he was 6 years old, he would leave home early morning, on his old horse, and not return until dinner time and it was discovered that he was travelling throughout the countryside from one sheep herder camp to another and another, and eating a meal at each camp.  At age 14, and weighing 67 lbs, Chuck left home, jumped a train and ended up in Southern California, where he found work cleaning horse stables and brushing horses.  He stayed on there and eventually was given the opportunity, due to his small stature, to be a horse jockey, he was successful and won many races.  When he could no longer jockey, he became a horse trainer and went on to own several races horses.  Chuck was employed at many well- known race tracks during his career, Santa Anitas, Pimlico, Hollywood, Churchhill Downs, and he spent about a year at a race track in Mexico.  Chuck remained an avid horse race fan to the end.  When Chuck was in his 20's, he did a 6 month stretch in a California prison for cattle rustling.   Chuck was married 3 times, twice to Doris and to Jean whom he lost too soon to breast cancer.  Charles had no biological children, but helped raise two step kids, Cindy (Doris) and Tom (Jean), a foster child David, and multiple neighbor kids.   When Chuck retired, he returned to Montana and made his home in Lima, where he was well known throughout this small community.  He attended all community functions and drove the Senior Citizens bus for many years.  Right to the end of his life Chuck continued to be fiercely independent and determined to set the course of his life.  He will be fondly remembered by those that knew him well.   Chuck is preceded in death by his parents, his sister Janie, both ex-wives, his first cousin and friend Zane Berthelson, first cousin Joan (Berthelson) Fuge; and Aunts Ruth Berthelson and Jacque Brett, and Uncle Leroy Kuchler.   Chuck is survived by his beloved dog Teddy bear, his cousins: Scott Martin; George (Sarah)Berthelson; Wanda Jensen; Vila (Vernon) Krug; Crystal (Howie) Geist; Kenny (Sandy) Berthelson; Joe Kuchler; Kenny (Melainya) Kuchler; Butch (Ann) Kuchler; Gary (Nancy) Laird; Step daughter, Cindy (Tony) Suriano; Adopted son Tom Hutchison; foster son David; Special friends Russ and Sandy Buehler, and many more relatives too numerous to mention.   Family and friends of Chucks are invited to join a gathering in his remembrance on Feb 28th at the Lima City Hall at 2:00pm.  If you wish, bring your favorite dish to share.