Andrew "Rick" Hutchens

Andrew “Rick” Hutchens Jr., age 78, slipped the surly bonds of earth and touched the face of God on February 3, 2026, with his wife Debbie and sons Andy and Brady surrounding him at his Centerville, TN home. He was born November 29, 1947 in Yazoo City, MS, the first son of Andrew “Andy” R. and Ruth “Tootie” McVey Hutchens. His family moved to south Miami, where Rick and his younger brothers, Zack and Patrick, grew up as Florida boys, while keeping their Mississippi roots alive through summer and Christmas visits to beloved grandparents and cousins. Rick had fond memories of Southern home-cooked meals from the garden and deer hunting with Uncle Bubba. Rick was on the gymnastics team at Southwest Miami High School, graduating in 1965. He attended Miami-Dade Junior College, joining Sigma Tau Kappa and forging a lifelong brotherhood. His college years were interrupted by war, and Rick enlisted in the US Army. Returning from combat, he moved to Lake Worth and, using the GI Bill, earned his pilot’s license and a B.S. degree from Florida Atlantic University. It was during this time, working as loadmaster/co-pilot at World Aviation in West Palm Beach, that Rick agreed to take an Ohio girl on a blind date on September 6, 1973. Debbie was by his side in June 1974 when he received orders to Naval Flight Training at NAS Beeville, Texas — and again on December 21, 1974, when they married. Forever a patriot — influenced by his father, a Marine Captain and Corsair fighter pilot, and his uncle Jeff McVey, a Naval Aviator and Captain of the USS Intrepid — Rick’s service resume included: US Army Sergeant, Fourth Infantry, South Vietnam; US Navy VA-25 Fist of the Fleet, carrier pilot flying the A-7 Corsair II, NAS Lemoore, CA; VT-10 Flight Instructor, NAS Pensacola, FL; and VR-46 TAR during Desert Shield, NAS Atlanta, GA. He then flew commercially with Eastern and American Airlines for thirty years before retiring in 2007. His man cave is decorated with military memorabilia, pictures of aircraft he flew, and photos honoring family members who served before him. “Home of the Free because of the Brave!” With each move — from Navy duty stations to domiciles as a commercial pilot — the Christmas list grew, adding dear friendships made in Homestead, Jupiter, and Hernando, FL and Roswell, GA. Rick retired in 2007 but waited another five years for Debbie to leave her second-grade classroom at Warfield Elementary in Indiantown, FL. His small-town dream finally came true in January 2013. Centerville welcomed them with an ice storm! A plaque on his mantle reads, “I wasn’t born in Tennessee, but I got here as soon as I could!” Rick’s wit and humorous storytelling captivated listeners of all ages! He loved entertaining at their Florida lake house — a gathering place for frat party cookouts, airboat rides, and kids fishing off the dock… Great memories, especially his patriotic 78th birthday celebration! He was a loyal, generous friend and neighbor, a proud American, a fearsome protector of Debbie and family, and a blessed grandfather. Like his mother Tootie, he delighted in watching his sons and grandchildren play sports. He loved his Hope Church family. Forever thankful he was. Ecclesiastes 3:13, Romans 8:28. Rick was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Deborah Q.; his sons Dr. Andrew R. (Whitney) and Brady W. (Meredith); his brothers Dr. Zack (Neetsie) and Patrick Hutchens; his cherished grandchildren Charlie, Maddie, Benny, Kellen, and Hope; Debbie’s siblings Fawn, Bruce, Pete, and Robin (Brantley) Quick; and his sweet poodle, Scooby. Services A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, March 21 in Centerville at Hope Church. Visitation begins at 10:00 AM with the service at Noon. Burial with full VFW honors will be held Friday, April 10 at 12:45 PM at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, FL. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to local VFW Post 4967 c/o VSO Rick Humphrey, T2T.org, or a charity of your choice.

Andrew "Rick" Hutchens

November 29, 1947 - February 3, 2026