Jake Hutto

04/06/2021

Jake Hutto, 95, passed away Sunday, April 4, 2021. He was born in Center, Texas on July 19, 1925.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Mangum Funeral Home, 420 San Augustine St., Center, TX 75935 on Friday, April, 9, 2021 with family visitation from 12:30pm to 2pm and service time from 2pm to 3pm. Burial is at Oaklawn Memorial Park, Center, TX with Rev. James Allen Renfro officiating.

Jake Hutto was drafted into the US Army and served our country by fighting in the Normandy Beach Landing on D-Day and the Battle of the Bulge. Jake fought hand to hand combat in General Patton’s 29th Infantry for 11 straight months through France, Italy, Belgium, Holland, and Germany earning 3 Bronze Stars for Valor and multiple medals for expert marksmanship, honor, and excellent conduct.

During a furious battle Jake was trapped in a fox hole by German snipers and knew he was about to be killed so he screamed out to God “Please save me and get me back home to Center, TX to  be with my sweetheart, Johnnie, and I promise that I will serve you the rest of my life”. God answered Jake’s prayer, and Jake returned home to Center and married his sweetheart, Johnnie Lout. They moved to Houston for work and started their lives dedicated to God’s ministry so Jake could live up to his commitment to God. Jake, with only an 8th grade education (at the time), was accepted into an Electrician’s School, and passed with flying colors and was also a very noted auto mechanic. Jake worked full time and also began his journey into the ministry by serving under the auspices of seasoned ministers as an assistant helping in every bailiwick of the ministry and attending formal Bible College to become an ordained minister. Jake evangelized around Texas for a few years and later was invited to pastor the Savoy UPC Church in Savoy, TX for over 20 years where he grew the congregation from a mere handful of members to 100 plus and built a new church that became a landmark on Hwy 80 in Savoy.

God later led Jake and Johnnie to the Waskom UPC Church in Waskom, TX where they preached and sang the Gospel expanding the membership greatly for over 20 years. Jake didn’t officially retire until he was 83 years old.

Jake Hutto was a fierce, decorated American Soldier and laid his life on the line for our country and then served in God’s Will as a very soft-spoken yet firm pastor. He was a pillar to the community where he served and to many families over the span of over 50 years. When Jake received a call from anyone in need, he would respond immediately and do all he could to ease their pain. Most everyone lovingly knew him as Papaw. He loved that title.

Jake has now crossed over and has walked inside those Pearly Gates being greeted by his wife and many family members who have been waiting. As many family members and friends have voiced, “If Jake Hutto doesn’t get into Heaven, then none of us will!” Jake always said “we are never ready to die and leave our loved ones, but we must be prepared to go.” Jake Hutto was prepared!

Survived by:

Son, Larry Hutto of Georgetown, TX

Grandsons:
Brent Hutto and wife Julie of Mineola, TX
Troy Hutto and wife Alice of Columbus, Ohio

Adoptive daughter and son, Lynn and Randy Stone of De Berry, TX

A number of great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

Preceded in death by wife, Johnnie Lout Hutto

Pallbearers are Dennis Hutto, Jerry Brown, Robbie Parker, Roger Reneau, Randy Stone, and Carlin Caldwell.

Services are under the direction of Mangum Funeral Home, Center, Texas.