James Michael Hutcherson died suddenly June 1, 2017, following an accident at his home in Fayetteville, Ga.
He was born January 9, 1949 in Thomaston, Ga. Michael graduated from R.E. Lee Institute in Thomaston, before going onto Mercer University for a degree in organ performance. He began playing the piano at the age of 9, the organ at the age of 13, and then began playing organ at his home church of Thomaston First Baptist at the age of 16. He played at the church for many years before leaving Thomaston in 1988. When moving to Palmetto, Ga. he served as the interim organist at Palmetto First Baptist Church before moving to Fayetteville in 1991. He served as interim organist for seven years in Palmetto, then became full time organist at Fayetteville First Baptist Church, before retiring. He remained active in playing as interim organist and filling in from time to time at various churches in the area.
Michael was a banker by trade working for many years in Thomaston, Ga. at C&S Bank as a loan officer and branch manager. He transferred to Commercial Bank and Trust in Griffin, managing the Hampton office, before transferring to the Peachtree City branch. He then became affiliated with SouthTrust Bank and Bank of North Georgia, before retiring in 2008. He has been active in the American Guild of Organists, as well as American Theatre Organ Society, where he was on the board and served as treasurer for a number of years.
Living in Fayetteville since 1991, he was a member of Fayetteville First Baptist Church.
Michael was preceded in death by his parents, James Albert Hutcherson and Billie Hutcherson.
He is survived by his wife, Allison Adams Hutcherson; daughter, Miranda Hutcherson; and his sister, Mrs. Jean Helms. Many nieces, nephews, and cousins survive, as well as a host of friends including best friends, Bruce Brownlow and Andy Garrett. Also, a very special person in his life was Mrs. Flossie Cunningham, who was formerly of Thomaston, now in Durham, N.C. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the American Guild of Organists and American Theatre Organ Society.
The funeral service was held at 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 4, 2017 at Thomaston First Baptist Church, Thomaston, Ga. Burial followed at Southview Cemetery, Thomaston, Ga. The family received friends from 5-7 on Saturday, June 3, 2017 at Mowell Funeral Home, Fayetteville, and 3-4 p.m. on Sunday, June 4, 2017 at Thomaston First Baptist Church, prior to service.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Thomaston First Baptist Church Music Department, www.fbcthomaston.org; the American Guild of Organists, www.agohq.org; the American Theatre of Organ Society, www.atos.org; or Georgia Baptist Children’s Home, www.gbchfm.org.
Carl J. Mowell & Son Funeral Home, Fayetteville – www.mowellfuneralhome.com.
