Danny Ray Hutson

Dan Hutson entered the world on October 25, 1946 in rural Kansas. He spent the first 5 years of his life in Oklahoma. His parents love for the west drew them to Idaho in 1953 where he spent the majority of his formative years. He graduated from Weiser high School in 1964. He spent a year after high school staying close to home until his father bought him a one-way bus ticket to Boise, Idaho so that he could join the military. With a brief encouragement from his father to "go find himself", Dan enlisted with the Army in May of 1965 as an 18 year old.

In telling the story of his time in basic training, Dan described the process of survival in vivid detail. He recounted the dry toast, gruel and only having one glass of milk. He recounted the lack of sleep for listening to the men in his bunkhouse groaning from sore muscles calling out to their mama and snoring all night. Squat leg thrusts till he wretched, chafing and having to walk bow legged, sweat, stink and downright misery.

He recalled the time that in a sleepy stupor, he listened to the drill sergeant give instructions about how to throw a grenade. When it was his turn, he pulled the pin and just stood there until the drill sergeant had to yell at him to throw it! Yet, in all of the suffering, it was the military that set a course for his professional life later on.

Dan completed his enlistment on May 10, 1968 and left the military with some college funding, a 1961 Chevy and $800.00 in his pocket!

Shortly after returning to civilian life, Dan attended Boise State College, which later became Boise State University. Here Dan began to settle into what would become his life's work in the field of Vocational Rehabilitation. He graduated with a BA in Social Work in May of 1973. His work in this field enabled him to continue his education and he eventually earned Masters of Education in Guidance & Counseling with an emphasis on Vocational Rehabilitation from Idaho University.

In 1976, he met Mary Ann Samsel and married her the same year. The following year, they had their first child Ryan Daniel Hutson. Ryan was born with disability and was hospitalized in Utah for the first three months of his life. Doctors did not expect Ryan to survive but Dan and Mary Anne provided excellent care for their son and advocated for him as he grew older. Ryan lived until 1982.

While living in Alaska, Mary Anne gave birth to Jessica their first daughter in 1978. When she was 2 years old Dan and Mary Anne made their way south to Oregon and eventually settled in the Medford area. They could see God's hand in providing Ryan in a care facility in Portland and they could be close enough to make visits to see him. So they packed their Audi station wagon, their dog Grady and little Jess and moved to the Rogue Valley in November of 1980. Though Dan would have to travel for work, this would be their home for the rest of their lives.

Emily Marie was born in 1981 and little Jessica immediately became a professional older sister. At only 3 years difference in age, Jessica became the perfect little helper to her mom. Dan said that she was a "little mother" helping with the daily needs of her sister.

Sarah was born in 1984 as the 3rd daughter to Dan and Mary Anne. She unexpectedly passed away in April 1985.

Eventually Rebekah Grace was added to the family on August 13, 1988. Their family would be complete with the three girls. Dan would later start his own firm, "Dan R. Hutson & Associates" to contract VR cases with Idaho, California, Oregon, Nevada, Washington and Alaska. During this demanding season, Mary Anne came alongside her husband and partnered with him in business. She was his friend, confidant and constant companion in life.

Dan left this world February 28, 2021. The memory and life of Dan will live on through those whom he is survived by. Jessica (Nathan) Willard, Emily (Erik) Christie, Rebekah (Tony) Abbott and nine grandchildren: Ben Donnelly, Liam, Cosette, Desmond, Cillian, Maryalice, Jude and Clara Jo.