James W. Tutchton

James W. Tutchton, 90, of Castle Rock, CO was born in Essex, MD on January 13, 1924 and passed away at home on April 6, 2013. He was the son of the late James T. Tutchton and Beatrice Catherine Daniels Tutchton of Essex, MD. He is survived by his beloved wife Lauana; sons James J. Tutchton of Centennial, CO and Darrell L. Tutchton of Savannah, GA; sister Betty C. Weisman of Royal Oak, MD; brothers Henry F. Tutchton of Bel Air, MD and Joseph T. Tutchton of Montrose, CO; grandsons James N. and Alexander R; and granddaughter Robin E. Tutchton all of Centennial, CO. He was preceded in death by sister Iva R. Ikena. Jim's early home life was happy and secure. His father and mother had deep love and affection for each other living in peace with GOD in the center of their universe. The considered themselves rich indeed with their blessings of five children, Jim, Harry, Iva, Betty and Joe. It took a farm to raise a multitude of aunts, uncles and cousins. Jim spent summers working, plowing the earth on his Grandfather's farm and told everyone who listened how he would earn .25 cents for picking a bushel of tomatoes or green beans. He paid for all of his books and tuition at Calvert Hall with his earnings. Along with hard work on Sundays in the summer, the entire family would gather for Crab Feasts (they trapped crabs) served on newspaper-covered tables. The last crab feast we attended the family paid $200 I believe for 7 bushels for their feast. They enjoyed going to Rocky Point Park. Mr. Tutchton was a graduate of Calvert Hall College in Baltimore, MD and Pittsburgh Technical Institute. A veteran of the U.S. Army, having served during WWII and received a Bronze Medal also serving in Germany during the Korean War. He was a member of St. Thomas More Parish, the Knights of Columbus and the American Legion. Following graduation from Calvert Hall College, a Christian Brothers School, Jim joined the Glenn L. Martin Aircraft Company in Middle River MD. He worked in Final Assembly and Flight Line assignment on the B-26 Bomber, PBM Patrol Bomber and other aircraft – some being experimental. In the beginning of WWII, Jim worked 10-12 hours and didn't have a day off for 15 months. In 1943, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and after base training he was assigned to the Headquarters Company, 16th Armored Infantry Battalion, 13th Armored Division. The Division was part of General Patton's command and entered active combat in December 1944 in France and Germany. Jim was awarded a Bronze Star for bravery. After the war, Jim returned to work for the Martin Company in the Product Assurance Division and was assigned to work on the early jet-powered aircraft being developed. Civilian life was interrupted again by military duty during the Korean War with a return to Germany during 1950-1951. After Jim's return, he accepted a position with the Department of Defense, Fairchild Aircraft in Hagerstown, MD. On his first day he was greeted and escorted into the plant by his soon-to-be wife, Lauana, who was the Protocol Point of Contact. Jim asked Lauana for a date and after that they were inseparable. Jim was united in marriage to Lauana M. Myers on September 1, 1956 in Hagerstown, MD. When Jim was assigned temporary duty for 6 months at the Fairchild Long Island plant, he drove (6-7 hour drive each way) every weekend to Hagerstown in order to court Lauana. He also called and wrote a letter each day. He was employed by the U.S. Air Force, Fairchild Aircraft in Hagerstown, MD, as Assistant Quality Control Chief. He was also employed by the prestigious Glenn L. Martin in Baltimore, MD (Martin Marietta, now Lockheed Martin). He held positions as Titan Launch Team Crew Member, Cape Canaveral, FL (now Kennedy Space Center), Denver Chief of Quality Control for Missile Launch Site, Denver Quality Control of Mission Success (Titan) and his last position as Denver Quality Control Manager of Special Programs. Jim's loved of aircraft began when he was about 3 years old – we still have his first steel airplane with a wingspan of about 24 inches. Al three grandchildren have been pretend pilots of Grandpa's plane. He was thrilled to work on airplanes and later was blessed with the opportunity to work on aircraft and be instrumental in our quest to be the first to land on the moon. He was on the Titan Launch Crew at Cape Canaveral, working alongside our brave astronauts. Jim was so excited to help astronaut Bruce McCandless with the Manned Maneuvering Space Unity. He was involved in so many ""firsts"" for our space quest and to try to mention all of them would be sheer folly; first American Satellite, First Intercontinental Ballistic Missile, the Vanguard Program, first ACBM's Titan I and Titan II, first docking in space, Titan Gemini, Many Free in Space in Sky Lab and our reconnaissance Satellites, Titan orbit and docking in space manned free flight in Orbit, Above Stop Secret Satellites. Jim was a great human being who loved GOD and attended Mass regularly. He carried a Rosary in his pocket during his combat service and believed he had a guardian angel. He ensured his family was cared for spiritually as well as monetarily. He spent his free time with his family. He drove on family vacations from east coast to the west coast from Canada to Florida. Jim was an outstanding model for the children – being humble, honest, kind, patient, compassionate, devoted to Lauana and loved all unconditionally. Jim was a wonderful son, husband, father, grandfather, son-in-law, friend and a great supervisor to his many employees. He and Grandma Myers (Lauana's mother who lived in with them) were best friends – loving one another and they never had a cross word between them. They spent hours gardening and Lauana would go shopping. Life zoomed by – career, church, hobbies. Jim was the best of the best when it came to family, always putting family first. He was Assistant Coach for football and baseball for years. He was an exemplary father and along with Lauana, raised two wonderful sons, Jay and Darrell. Jim was thrilled when he saw them fulfill their dreams. He would tell others of Jay's accomplishments, Notre Dame Business Degree and UCLA Law Degree. Impressed with the difference Jay's efforts have made to save endangered animals and his devotion to improve the quality of our air, water and land. He would share with others what great art talent Darrell was blessed with and how after he received his Masters in Illustration from Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) he traveled the world promoting the school and was instrumental in the establishment of a satellite SCAD in Beijing, China. Darrell when as recently by a friend about his upbringing compared it to the TV show, The Cleavers. Jim was so proud of the grandchildren and he would tell others how great, beautiful inside and out, smart, talented and accomplished they are, excelling as students, in sports and music. Whenever he would speak of Robin he would 'tear up as he was so pleased with her exceptionalism. More time was spent with Robin and he would describe her as being so tiny at 3 ½ pounds he could hold her in one hand. Grandpa was especially thrilled to help Robin learn as the Lord gave us this beautiful precious baby girl who could not hear. He was thrilled when he heard Robin play the drums and Alex play the electric guitar on stage for a couple hundred people at the Red Turtle in LoDo. He would entertain the grandchildren by reading, playing soccer, building airplane models (his favorite pastime), woodworking, cutting trees and card tricks. He cooked and even played the part of the big bad wolf in our Three Little Pigs skit. He would always say, ""Lauana you're number one"" (writing that on cards for every occasion) and when she asked him why he was so good to her he replied, ""I intend to spoil you so much that no one else will every want you"" – and that he did. He never restricted her in how she lived life and the choices she made regarding spending her time and their money. Lauana has always said she believed that GOD sent Jim into her life. He always remembered special occasions with gifts. The last few years when he could not get her flowers he asked her to buy red roses on special occasions. Jim's personality was very unassuming and he let everyone else shine. A man of great integrity never using profanity, and only on rare occasions did he ever consume alcohol. He smoked a pipe when he started to court Lauana and when she stated she would not date someone who smoked he quit. They had a great life together with the same religious philosophy and goals. Their careers intertwined again when Lauana assumed her career after an absence of 25 years with the Department of Defense at Martin Marietta. They shared a great love for each other with mutual respect, admiration and a love for GOD, family and country. From those who will always carry you in their hearts we say, ""Be on your way, dearest one, fly and soar into the LIGHT. Know you are loved. We know we are loved. All is well."" A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, April 12, 2013 at 11:30am at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 8035 S. Quebec St., Centennial, CO 80112. Memorials may be made in Jim's name to the Alzheimer's Association, 455 S. Sherman St., Suite #500, Denver, CO 80203 or at www.alz.org. Please share your memories of Jim and condolences with his family by signing the guestbook below.