George William Dutton

RURAL RETREAT, Va.

GEORGE WILLIAM DUTTON, age 77, passed away Monday, April 15, 2019 at the Davidson County Hospice House, Lexington, N.C.

George attended Rural Retreat High School and graduated from Emory & Henry College with a major in chemistry and math. He completed additional graduate work at the University of Virginia. He began his career at Marion Junior High School teaching science. After several years, he went to work for RCA at the Marion Job Corps Center, where he began as the Education Manager and later became director over the facility. George finished his career at Southwest Virginia Mental Health Institute as the Environmental Director and teaching evening chemistry classes at Wytheville Community College.

Active in his community, he was a member of the Marion Rotary Club for over 40 years, serving in many capacities including President; and receiving the Paul Harris Award. George was a member of the musical group Grandsons of the Pioneers along with several of his fellow Rotarians, playing various Rotary functions and other events. He was also a member of the MacDowell Music Club of Rural Retreat.

George was a lifetime member of Fulton United Methodist Church in Groseclose, where he served and volunteered. Over the years he held various positions including chairperson of the Administrative Board and chairperson of the Pastor Parrish Relations Committee. George was a devoted member of the church choir where he enjoyed singing solos as well as being a member of their men's vocal quintet The Fulton 5. He and his wife served as charge conference delegates for the Holston Church Conference at Lake Junaluska for 22 years.

In his free time, he enjoyed managing Dutton Hollow Farm, the family farm since 1793. George loved music and played several instruments including the autoharp and harmonica. After retirement, he and his wife loved traveling together. They enjoyed attending musicals and plays and they rarely missed a show at the Barter Theatre. They also enjoyed an annual trip every fall to New York, where they attended as many Broadway shows as they could possibly squeeze into a week.

George was preceded in death by his parents, Hobart and Alva Dutton of Rural Retreat, Va.; and brother, Dr. Sherman Dutton of Martinsville, Va.

He leaves behind his wife of 52 years, Sandra Fullen Dutton of the home; daughter, Anna Dutton Shaver and husband, Dalton of Thomasville, N.C.; son, John Adam Dutton and wife, Lacy of Rural Retreat, Va.; grandchildren, Kayla Elizabeth Shaver, Isaac Dean Shaver, Jared Adam Dutton and Jenna Rosemarie Dutton.

The family wishes to thank Smyth County Community Hospital Cancer Center and Smyth County Community Hospital – Dr. Hammad, Jessica Hill NP., Dr. Stiltner and Dr. Miller, along with the dedicated team of nurses and staff; as well as the staff from Smyth Regional Homecare.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 20, 2019 at 2 p.m. at Fulton United Methodist Church, 8288 Lee Highway, Rural Retreat, Va. 24368 (opposite the Mountain Empire Airport) with Pastor C.W. Huff Jr., Pastor Ruth Ann Henley, and Mr. Brian Cregger officiating. Burial will follow in Kimberling Cemetery, 1143 Kimberlin Road, Rural Retreat, Va. 24368. The family will receive friends Saturday from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Fulton United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Fulton United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 641, Atkins, Va. 24311.

To share memories of George William Dutton, please visit www.seaverbrown.com. Care for George's family has been entrusted to Seaver-Brown Funeral Service and Crematory, 237 East Main Street, Marion, Va. 24354.