James Whitman Hutchens

James (Jim) Whitman Hutchens passed away on May 18, 2022, in Idaho Falls, Idaho of natural causes. A long-time resident of Pocatello, Idaho, he spent his later years in Firth, Idaho, and finally moved to the MorningStar Assisted Living Facility in Idaho Falls, Idaho.

Jim was born in Laramie, Wyoming to Edna M. and Jesse C. Hutchens. At an early age, the family, including his only sibling, a sister named Irene, moved to Pocatello, Idaho. Jim spent the majority of his life there. He married Betty Lou Selders in 1949 and they had four daughters: Phylis Jean, Barbara Joy, Janet Lee and Jimmie Lou. Following Betty's passing, Jim married Joan Mills of Pocatello and later married Melva Jensen, of Pocatello.

Jim was a plumbing and heating contractor and also received his electrician's license. He started his career at VanGas and later worked for Barlow's, Inc. before venturing out on his own. For most of his career he ran his own business performing plumbing, heating, and sheet metal work services.

Jim was a Christian and loved his Lord Jesus Christ. He was active in church throughout his life and could often be found using his talents as he worked on various church buildings. This was true in Pocatello, in American Falls where he lived for a few years, in Meadview, Arizona, where he spent several years snow-birding and also did mission work on facilities including the Cataldo Mission in Northern Idaho.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, wife (Betty), sister (Irene), as well as by his later wives, Melva and Joan. He leaves behind four daughters: Phylis Clement of Indianapolis, Indiana; Barbara Hutchens of Idaho Falls, Idaho; Janet (Myron) Curtis of Idaho Falls, Idaho; and Jimmie (Doug) Blotter of Rio Rancho, New Mexico. He also leaves behind eight grandchildren and several great and great great grandchildren.

Please join the family for a Celebration of Life service on Saturday, July 30, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Christ Community Church in Idaho Falls, Idaho (5742 S. 5th W.).  For those who are unable to attend in person, a live webcast of the service can be viewed at the YouTube Channel for Christ Community Church: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyVZwMEo_EejkzjlRU3Nj2g.

The family would like to recognize and thank the wonderful and caring staff at MorningStar, particularly those in the Reflections Unit who cared for Jim as well as the staff at One Source Home Health and Hospice.