Joe Benton Hutson

Born on August 8, 1936, in Johnson City, Tennessee, Joe was the son of Bryce T. Hutson and Lois Hutson. He spent his childhood in Lakeland and Fort Myers, Florida, before graduating high school in Houston, Texas. He later returned to Florida, where he built both his career and his life.

A man of deep Christian faith, Joe found lasting comfort, strength, and purpose in his relationship with Jesus Christ. His faith remained a guiding presence throughout his life, shaping the way he loved his family, treated others, and lived each day. During his younger years, he attended Emmaus Bible School in Chicago, where he met the love of his life, Fern. The two were married on July 21, 1955, beginning a loving partnership that would span more than 70 years.

Joe enjoyed a long and successful career in facilities management, construction, and business leadership. In the 1960s, he worked in the aerospace industry at Martin. From the 1970s through the mid-1980s, he served as President and Owner of K-C Mechanical, Inc. in Greater Orlando. After selling the business, he moved to St. Petersburg, where he built a home on the bay in 1987 and later served for 15 years as Director of Facilities, Construction, and Operations at Bayfront Medical Center. Joe and Fern eventually returned to Central Florida, where he worked as Vice President of Florida Facilities for SunTrust Real Estate Corp., overseeing facilities and branch bank construction projects throughout the state.

Joe was a lifelong learner who earned both his Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Economics and his Master of Business Administration from Rollins College in 1976.

He was known for his strong work ethic, kindness, integrity, and unwavering devotion to his family. Joe especially loved fishing and boating, singing in the choir, cheering for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, traveling with Fern, and remaining closely involved in the lives of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bryce T. and Lois Hutson; his nephew, Skip Hutson; and other beloved family members.

Joe is survived by his loving wife of 70 years, Fern Hutson; his daughter, Jo Lynn (Ron) Snyder; his son, Doug Hutson; his grandchildren, Lucas (Amber) Snyder, Brittanie Hutson, and Ella (Cameron) Clark; his great-grandchildren, Ty Snyder and Lucy Clark; his brother, Tom (Ramey) Hutson; his niece, Sheli (Kerry) Konecny; and many other relatives and dear friends who will miss him deeply.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at Volusia Memorial Funeral Home in Ormond Beach, Florida. Burial will follow later that afternoon at 3:00 p.m. at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Gotha, Florida.

The family invites you to share your favorite memories and stories of Joe as they celebrate a life marked by faith, love, hard work, and devotion to family. Your thoughts and prayers are deeply appreciated.