Gary Lee Hutchison

Gary was born August 4, 1939 in Dallas, TX, where he lived all his life. He graduated from Crozier Tech High School in 1958. He married the love of his life Rita Boykin in 1961; they spent 60 wonderful years together.

From the start, music was in his blood. He began studying accordion at the age of seven and loved it so much that he taught it and started his performing career in 1958 with the Gary Lee Combo. From that point, his popularity increased. Over the years, his orchestra shared the stage with such celebrities as Bob Hope, Milton Berle, George Gobel, John Davidson, Lynn Anderson, Norm Crosby, The Four Freshman and many others. However, always humble, Gary never boasted of these associations.

Through the years, he was the house orchestra at the Wintergarden Ballroom, as well as playing at conventions, hotels, restaurants and senior centers in his later years. For three decades, Gary’s band was featured at the Fair Park Music Hall for the Cotton Bowl brunch on New Year’s Day. One of his biggest audiences was at the 1984 Republican National Convention in Dallas where Ronald Reagan accepted the nomination as President. He also played on the American Airlines inaugural 747 flight. He and his band were honored as the highlighted entertainment on the Gary Lee Orchestra Cruise to the Bahamas aboard the Carnival Conquest in May, 2009.

He retired from entertaining professionally Dec. 31, 2014 after 56 years of bringing joy to thousands with the Big Band Sound. Gary enjoyed people and he made many lifelong friends wherever he played. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Besides music, his passions included Texas Rangers baseball, railroading, photography, fishing and golf. He was always ready for adventures of any kind and loved traveling with family and friends. His greatest joy was spending time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, all of whom were his “sweetarts.”

He will be remembered for his wonderful sense of humor, his unwavering faith and his willingness to help anyone in need. He served his community as a Dallas County Deputy Constable and a member of Dallas Elks Lodge #71 as well as the Knights of Columbus #799 3rd Degree and Father Abram J. Ryan General Assembly 4th Degree. He was a member of St. Pius X Catholic Church.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents Roy Lee Hutchison and Lucille (Munson) Hutchison, sister Darleene (Hutchison) Denbow, and grandson David Tompkins.

Left to cherish his memory are wife Rita (Boykin) Hutchison, daughter Lori (Jim) Hall, son Gary Allen (Melissa) Hutchison, daughters Jackie (Robert) Tompkins and Jenny (Bill) Wilbur; brother, Darwin (Debbie) Hutchison; brothers-in-law Billy Denbow and John (Beverly) Boykin, sister-in-law Elaine Gibson.

Ten grandchildren: Brandon (Adrienne) Hall, Stephanie (Joshua) Garcia, Becca Hall, Jordan Hutchison and close friend Rachael Whatley, Jason (Marley) Hutchison, Daniel Tompkins, Jeremy Tompkins, Jonathan Atwood, Bradley Atwood and Ashley Atwood.

Seven great grandchildren: Mason Hall, Graham Hall, Maren Hall, Jaden Hutchison, Rosalynn Hutchison, Caedyn Tompkins and Brooke Atwood, as well as many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

Visitation will be on Friday, March 26 from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Sparkman-Crane Funeral Home on Garland Road. Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 27 also at Sparkman-Crane. Calvary Hill Mausoleum entombment will be private. Due to COVID-19, there will not be a reception.

Memorials: Floral tributes or contributions to your favorite charity in Gary’s memory are welcome.