George "Tom" Hutchinson Sr.

George Thomas “Tom” Hutchinson, Sr., 89, of Savannah, died Sunday, Aug 18, 2013 at his residence, under the care of Hospice Savannah, Inc. He was born in Screven County, Ga., and moved to Savannah in 1941. He was a graduate of Savannah High School, class of 1943, and served in the US Marine Corps in WW II, serving in the South West Pacific on Peleliu Island, where he was attached to the US Marine Air Wing Fighter Squadron, serving as a Crew Chief.

He returned to the United States in 1945, to attend Georgia Teachers College, graduating in 1949, and moving to Augusta, Ga. To establish Draughn’s Business College, and returning to Savannah to work for the Railroad.

He served for 12 years on the Port Wentworth City Council, and in 1963 he became one of the original Kentucky Fried Chicken Franchise Holders in Hickory, NC for 38 years, while adding 5 more locations before retiring to Savannah, Ga in 2001.

He was a member of the Wilmington Island United Methodist Church. He was a Life Member of Frank F. Baker Masonic Lodge # 46, F. & A.M’s, having been a member for over 50 years, Alee Shrine Temple for 35 years, American Legion for 49 years, the Marine Corps League, VFW, the Moose Lodge in Statesboro, Ga., and the Bacon Park Senior Blitz.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Rev. J.B. Hutchinson; his sisters, Audrey Davis, Wilma Smith, and Avis Keel; and his granddaughter, Kasey Fields.

He is survived by his wife, Judy Hutchinson, Savannah, Ga; son, George Thomas, Jr., of Bethlehem, NC; daughters, Celeste & Herb Creaseman of Granite Falls, NC; Janie & Bobby Thompson of Statesboro, Ga; Sylvia Hutchinson of Lenoir, NC, Cornelia Hutchinson of Statesboro, Ga., Sonya & Emerson Conner of Statesboro, Ga; his step children, Debbie and Ken Hagin of Statesboro, Johnny and Lori Poteat of Greensboro, NC, and Denise Poteat of Savannah, Ga; a brother, Raymond & Pat Hutchinson of Pooler, Ga; numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren; and his special caregiver, Jannelle Brown for her loving care.

Visitation: 12:30-1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Fairhaven Funeral Home- Hubert C. Baker Chapel.

Graveside Services: 2 p.m. Wednesday in Forest Lawn Memory Gardens Chapel.

Remembrances: Shriners Crippled Children’s Hospital, in care of Alee Shrine Temple, 100 Eisenburg Drive, Savannah, Ga 31406 and Hospice Savannah, Inc. P.O. Box 13190, Savannah, GA 31416.

Fairhaven Funeral Home – Hubert C. Baker Chapel, Savannah,Ga 31406

912-9271999