Obituary of Donald Lee Hutton

Donald Hutton, a long time resident of North Rolla, B.C. passed away on Thursday, August 18, 2016 in Dawson Creek, B.C. at the age of 86 years. Donald was born on May 2, 1930 in Grande Island, Nebraska and was the oldest of three children born to Iva and Harry Hutton. In 1942, the government expropriated 90 farmers near Grande Island to build a bomb loading plant. The Hutton family had ten days to move, and Denver, Colorado became their new home. Don completed his education in Denver. While attending a country dance he met Kay and romance blossomed. Don and Kay were married in 1952. Kay took a few days off from high school to marry, and then returned to complete her senior year. Don and Kay welcomed their first child, Marti, in 1957. They had been working in a sheep camp, but decided to return to Denver, where Don began his long haul trucking career. A newspaper article advertising free land in Canada renewed their interest in farming. After an exploratory trip to Canada in 1960, Don and Kay purchased land at Mollice Lake near Burns Lake. Don continued trucking but each summer they visited their property in B.C. In 1966, Don and Kay's son Daniel Lee was born. They were so happy, however at 6 weeks the newborn required surgery. This was a very stressful time for the family. The same year Don's job transfered them to Los Angeles. Kay and her children waited until Danny was recovered enough to travel. California was not their land of dreams, so after a year Don accepted a job driving for Omineca Lumber Company in Burns Lake. The family belongings were packed, labelled and loaded into a truck, camper and jeep and the Hutton family became landed immigrants to Canada. Burns Lake was a paradise for hunting and fishing and they could begin their farming dream. Marti tells of her parents taking her and the neighbor kids creek fishing, only to learn that fishing on the game warden's property was not approved. Don and Kay poured a foundation and began building a log home. Torrential rains made this project very difficult. The Huttons were logging, saw-milling and caring for cows and sheep. What an adventure. Feed was purchased from the Peace Region and hauled to Burns Lake. Once again the family decided to move. Land was purchased in North Rolla and in 1976 another convoy of belongings and livestock headed north. The 1980's were tough for farmers, Don and Kay moved to their retirement farm on Alderdale Road. One of Don's biggest adventures came while working for Ken Borek Air. Don flew to the arctic just south of the magnetic North Pole. During his times there he cleared runways and set up and maintained a camp for tourists coming to the North Pole. Don's grandchildren Dustie and Michael were impressed that their granddad had visited the North Pole and had met Santa. On August 28, 1993 Don's life changed forever. While servicing his logging truck he suffered an accident. After many months in hospital, Don learned to walk with crutches; and even renewed his trucking driver's license. His courage and determination were admirable and the community rallied around him. Don truly enjoyed people, he had a good sense of humour and was a great story teller. Over the years many young people came to work on his farm and were welcomed into the family. Don had a sense of community, he volunteered with the Doe River Rodeo and North Rolla Hall. During branding season Don helped neighbors prepare calves for pasture. With his large hands he was a real pro with a horn scoop. Don was involved with the Sunset Community Pasture. He obtained the contract to build the round sorting corrals, and would be happy to know they are still used every fall roundup. Don loved his family. He was so proud of Danny joining the U.S. Navy. He was the happy father when Rendal and Marti married and again at Dan and Karen's wedding. Don always had news of his grandchildren's accomplishments. After 56 years together, Don was devastated after Kay's passing. He was lonely and his health was deteriorating. Don spent his final years in Rotary Manor. Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, it is about learning to dance in the rain. Don's life was an example of this. Don was predeceased by his wife Kay, and his parents Harry and Iva. Don is survived by his children; Marti (Rendal) Bishop, and Dan (Karen) Hutton, his grandchildren; Dustie (Randy) Coombes, Michael (Camille) Bishop, Katrina (Shane) Johnson, Lindsay (Mike) Fisette, Colby Bishop, Bo (Stacey) Stewart, Chad (Trish) Stewart, and Ty (Jaime) Stewart, his great grandchildren; Landon and Reid Coombes, Enzo and Nika Bishop, Brittany Bews, Phoenix and Molly Fisette, McKaela Stewart, Kevin, Steven and Cherish Stewart, and Sydney and Paris Stewart. A Memorial Service was held on Friday, September 2, 2016 at 2:00 PM at the Rolla Baptist Church. Pastor Gary Henderson officiated. Interment will be at a later date. For friends so wishing, donations may be made in memory of Don to North Rolla Community Hall, PO Box 2659, Dawson Creek, B.C. V1G 5A1. Very Respectfully Reynars Funeral Home & Crematorium