Leon Allen Hutcheson

Leon Allen Hutcheson, 88, of Red Springs, NC, formerly of Alexandria, VA, passed away on August 26, 2020 at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst, NC.  Leon is survived by his wife of 69 years, Betty Ann (Morris) Hutcheson.   Leon is also survived by his four children, Keith Hutcheson (Jaime) of Bluffton, SC, Daria Hutcheson Bickel (Gregg) of Centennial, CO, Gregory Hutcheson of Chester Gap, VA, and Dennis Hutcheson (Kathy) of Spotsylvania, VA.  In addition, he is also survived by 14 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren, his sister-in-law Joan Morris who tremendously helped him in the last 4 years of his life in North Carolina, his sister-in-law Diane (Morris) Murphy, his niece Michelle Maroulis who assisted with his care recently, other nieces and nephews, his cousin Leo Wayson (Buddy) Potter, as well as other relatives.

Leon was born in Greensboro, NC on November 4, 1931.  He was adopted at birth by Forrest Benton Hutcheson and Lillian Thelma (Kilby) Hutcheson.  He grew up in Arlington, Virginia and lived at Fort Myers when his father Forrest was at war.  He attended Fork Union Military Academy in Fork Union, VA for four years.  Later, his family moved to Alexandria, Virginia and Leon transferred to Mt. Vernon High School.  Leon met the love of his life, Betty Ann Morris, at Mt. Vernon High School and they eloped on October 5, 1950 to La Plata, MD to get married while still in high school.  While at Mt. Vernon, Leon played varsity basketball.

Right after their marriage, Leon enlisted in the US Navy and served during the Korean war.  He continued to enjoy playing basketball while playing basketball for the Navy club team.  Leon and Betty lived briefly in San Augustine, FL for over a year when he was stationed at Green Cove Springs in Florida. After his honorable discharge in 1956, they eventually moved back to Alexandria, Virginia where they would raise their 4 children in the idyllic Alexandria neighborhood of Waynewood.  During their life in Waynewood, Leon started collecting and restoring cars, particularly Thunderbirds.  He loved his cars, especially his red convertible Thunderbird that won first place at a national car show.  Leon was a successful insurance agent with Nationwide Insurance while living in Alexandria, VA, eventually moving his office to Warrenton, Virginia after all his 4 children were grown. 

With Leon working in Warrenton, Leon and Betty built a modern mountaintop home in Washington, Virginia that became their pride and joy.  They raised Belgium horses, had a mum plant business, and eventually opened a bed and breakfast they named “Sunset Hills Farms”.  Leon thrived in becoming his version of a farmer, planting fruit trees, making jellies and jams to sell at his farm store, and tending to his horses.  Leon built their red barn with his son Gregory helping him.  Leon became quite the baker too; he made all types of pies for people to enjoy.

Four years ago, Leon and Betty moved to Red Springs, NC to be closer to her sister Joan Morris.  Leon enjoyed the quiet street and close proximity to his sister-in-law Joan.  They loved reminiscing and telling stories of their time growing up in Alexandria, Virginia.  Almost a year ago, Betty’s other sister, Diane (Morris) Murphy moved to Red Springs and they all enjoyed spending time together.  Leon continued to delight in having flowers in his yard and adored his two cats, Tandy and Fuzzball, and his cockatiel Toby who made the move to North Carolina with them.

A graveside funeral service will be held on Wednesday, September 2, 2020 at 2:00 PM at Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery, 8200 Bragg Blvd., Fort Bragg, NC 28310. A visitation will be held at Crumpler Funeral Home in Red Springs from 11:45 am to 12:45 pm prion to the graveside service at Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery.