John M. Hutchins ,Esq (Retired Major US Army)

John is survived by his wife, Dale Denise Ockl Hutchins; his son Adam Edward Hutchins; brothers Mark and David Hutchins (spouse Donna Hutchins). He is preceded in death by his parents: Edward and Marjorie Hutchins.

John was born on December 5, 1950 in Washington, D.C. The Hutchins Family resided in Falls Church, Virginia. In 1961, the family moved to Northglenn, Colorado. John graduated from Northglenn High School in 1969. John was a U.S.M.A. West Point cadet from 1969-1970 at West Point, New York; graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado with a B.A. (Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa), and obtained his Juris Doctorate from the University of Colorado School of Law in 1976. John served as an Assistant Staff Judge Advocate & Defense Lawyer, Fort Hood, Texas from 1977-1981; was an Assistant City Attorney, El Paso, Texas in 1982; was a member of the U.S. Army Reserve from 1982-1996 and retired as a major. From 1982-1990, John was an Assistant Colorado Attorney General in Denver, Colorado. John met his future wife, Dale Denise Ockl, while working at the Colorado Attorney General's Office. Their son, Adam Edward Hutchins was born in April of 1989, and no son was ever more loved. John was an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Denver from 1990-2011, at which time he retired. John was then able to spend his time doing what he loved the most: studying, researching, and writing history.

John was the author of the following books, chapters, and articles:

Books:

Coronado's Well-Equipped Army: The Spanish Invasion of the American Southwest (Yardley, Penn.: Westholme Publishing, 2014) [2015 Selection of the History Book Club].

Diggers, Constables, and Bushrangers: The New Zealand Gold Rushes as a Frontier Experience, 1852-1876 (Lakewood, Colo.: Avrooman-Apfelwald Press, 2010).

Selected Book Chapters:

"Cavalry Action at Poundridge, N.Y." In Cavalry of the American Revolution, edited by Jim Piecuch, 56-75. Yardley, Penn.: Westholme Publishing, 2012.

"Aaron Burr, James Wilkinson, Zebulon Pike and the Great Louisiana Conspiracy." In To Spare No Pains: Zebulon Montgomery Pike and His 1806-1807 Southwest Expedition, edited by Tim Blevins, 139-172. Colo. Springs: Pikes Peak Library District and Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum, 2007.

Selected Articles:

"Splashdown in the Rio Grande: The 1911 Flight of Lieutenant Benjamin Foulois and its Historic Place in the First Year of True Military Aviation," Journal of Big Bend Studies, 24 (2012), 45-62.

"Captain, There is Going to Be a Fight: The Battle at Milk Creek and the Ute War of 1879," The Denver Westerners Roundup, Vol. 53, No. 4 (July-August, 1997).

Throughout the years, John received writing awards from the U.S. Army Center for Military History and from Westerners International. His chapter on the Burr Conspiracy, published in the 2007 collection of writings on Zebulon M. Pike, “To Spare No Pains”: Zebulon Montgomery Pike and his 1806-1807 Southwest Expedition (from the 3rd Annual Pikes Peak Regional History Symposium, sponsored by the Pikes Peak Library District and Colorado Springs Pioneer Museum), has been called, by Colorado Central Magazine editor and Denver Post columnist Ed Quillen, the “clearest explanation” he has read of that complex event. John's latest publication, Coronado's Well-Equipped Army: The Spanish Invasion of the American Southwest (Yardley, Penn.: Westholme Publishing, 2014) at this time is a finalist for a Colorado Authors' League 2015 Award in the General Nonfiction Division. At the time of his death, John was working on a book on Hernando de Soto; as well as drafting manuscripts on whaling, early aviation history, U.S. Army military ministers, and cavalry in the American Revolution.

Besides his love of family, history and writing, John really loved his church. He was a staunch Calvinist, and thoroughly enjoyed discussing religious history and theology. He was an ardent supporter of the Salvation Army and attended the Salvation Army Church for several years prior to joining Our Saviour's Corner of Hope.

John was also an Eagle Scout and a great fan of the Boy Scout Program. He knew most of the songs, skits, and oaths. John so loved the Scouts that he served as a Den Leader. John's son, Adam, carried on the tradition of becoming an Eagle Scout.

The funeral service is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on Friday, April 10, 2015, at Our Saviour's Corner of Hope, with a reception to follow in Schouten Hall at the church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the church.