Memorial service for CSM (Retired) Michel Hutchins will be at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 4, 2019 at Crossroads Baptist Church, Elgin, Oklahoma, with Curtis Erwin, Senior Pastor officiating.

Burial with full military honors will follow in the Fairview Cemetery, Apache, Oklahoma under the direction of Becker-Rabon Funeral Home.

The family will greet friends from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, September 3, 2019 at the funeral home.

Michel Hutchins, age 79, Wichita Mountains Estates, Lawton, died Wednesday, August 28, 2019, in Oklahoma City from injuries suffered in a car accident on Friday, August 16, 2019.  He was born March 30, 1940, in Cooperstown, New York to Henry and Mary (Sullivan) Hutchins.  He grew up in the Tylerville/South Rutland, New York area near Watertown, New York.  He graduated with a B.S. degree from Cameron University in May 1990. He married Frances "Fran" (Iams) in Apache, Oklahoma, on May 6, 1963.

Michel served in the U.S. Army for 26 ½ years.  He received basic training at Fort Hood, Texas, and Advanced Individual training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.  He served with the 1 ^st Missile Bn (CPL), 84 ^th FA, Fort Sill, 1 ^st Missile Bn, 39 ^th FA, USAREUR-Germany, Student Battery, Fort Sill, 4 ^th Battalion, 41 ^st FA, (Pershing) USAREUR-GERMANY, Staff and Faculty Bn, Fort Sill, 3 ^rd Battalion, 84 ^th FA,(Pershing) USAREUR-GERMANY, 3 ^rd Bn, 9 ^th FA , Fort Sill, OK, USARRI, Fort Devens, Massachusetts, Sergeants Major Academy, Fort Bliss, Texas, where he served as class president, CSM, 1 ^st Bn, 18 ^th FA, and Commandant of  the NCO Academy Augsburg, Germany, and FA School Command Sergeant Major, Fort Sill.

CSM Hutchins received the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (2OLC), Army Commendation Medal (2OLC), National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbons and Good Conduct Medals.

After retirement from the Army, Michel worked for Metropolitan Insurance, Jordan Delarenti Contract at Fort Sill, Northrop Grumman (DOL), and Sterling Services Pest Control.

Michel was a charter member of the Mount Scott Area Kiwanis club.  He served as president and board member and was awarded the club's first Kiwanian of the Year. He was always noted as the person who sold the most fish fry tickets for the club's annual fund raiser. He donated his time as a volunteer to Wreaths Across America and also served as a club sponsor for the Key Club and generously gave his time for the Builders Club.  No matter what needed to be done, he was always ready to get the job done.  During his time with Kiwanis, he served as Division Lt. Governor, and was awarded the District C.T. Bush Award and the Kiwanis Foundation George F. Hixson Award.

Michel loved his children and three grandsons.  He strived to give them guidance and knowledge and enjoyed doing the things they enjoyed.

His devotion to his wife, Frances, was unequaled as his main goal in life was to care and protect her and make her happy.  He was a good neighbor and was always helping in any way possible.  He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Michel was a true Oklahoma Sooner fan.  It was rare to see him without his Sooner hat and shirt and he loved to jokingly harass his OSU family and friends.

He is survived by his wife of the home, daughter, Tammy Walsh and husband Patrick of Lawton, son, Michael Christopher Hutchins of Lawton, three grandsons, Michael Hutchins, Cody Walsh, Kyle Hutchins and Rachel, a great grandbaby on the way as well as two "adopted" great grandchildren Micaila and Cooper, one brother, Tommy Hutchins, Carthage, New York, one sister, Diana Bodway, Watertown, New York; numerous beloved nieces and nephews and special friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his seven brothers, Gerald, Art, Robert, Charles, Ralph, Richard, and Joe and two sisters, Joyce Mack and Joan Berghorn.

Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Jude Children's Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or by going to www.stjude.org , the Salvation Army, 1306 SW E Avenue, Lawton, OK 73505, or the Elgin Animal Shelter, elginanimalshelter@gmail.com or calling (580) 919-5117, or to an organization of the donor's choice.