Obituary: Joseph B. Hutcherson, Hardin Co., KY

Article / SPRING Issue 1998
By Paul Urbahns



ATHS Charter Member #30

                 Joseph B. Hutcherson Dies at 81

Joseph B. Hutcherson, former Mayor of Radcliff, died on Friday,
December 26, 1997 due to cancer. Hutcherson served as Radcliff's
Mayor from 1973-1989.

Born in Hardin County, between Radcliff and Elizabethtown,
Hutcherson grew up working on his father's farm. That farm located
in the area of Hutcherson Lane. Joseph B. Hutcherson was the son of
J.B. Hutcherson well known Hardin County Baptist minister that
performed many Hardin County weddings. While in high school he
worked at a grocery store in Elizabethtown and later served as an
E'town Volunteer Firefighter. In 1944 he went to work at Fort Knox
as a firefighter and some 14 years later retired from that position
to operate Joe's Texaco service station in Radcliff. During the
1950's he began his long history of civic service, being active in
the Radcliff Civic Club. Later, his memberships included the
Radcliff Vine Grove Chamber Of Commerce, the Association of the
United Army (AUSA), the Radcliff Optimist Club, the Radcliff Rotary
Club and charter member of Ancestral Trails Historical Society.

In 1955 Hutcherson became the fire chief of Hardin County Water
District No. 1 and soon after taking that position, he eagerly
began training volunteer firefighters for the city. When the city
became incorporated in 1956, his title was changed to Radcliff Fire
Department Chief. As chief he served under then Mayor Elmer Hargan.
In October 1969, he resigned his chief's position and announced his
candidacy for Mayor of Radcliff.

Hutcherson lost his initial bid for the mayor, but went on to serve
briefly as member of the Radcliff City Council. In 1973, he won the
race for Mayor and held that position for three terms. During his
last term, the city honored him by dedicating the Joseph B.
Hutcherson Hall of Justice, which now houses the city police
department and the branch office of the Hardin County Court System.

He is survived by his wife Juanita Barry Hutcherson; three sons,
Darryl Hutcherson, E-town, Neil Hutcherson, Laguna Hills, Cal., 
and Dannie Hutcherson, Redmond, Wash.; a brother, Ellis Hutcherson,
E'town, two sisters, Lucille Jones of Radcliff, and Freda Clark,
Hollywood, Fla.; seven grandchildren; and eight great
grandchildren.

The funeral service was held at Stithton Baptist Church, Radcliff,
with Dr. James Barry and Dr. Walter Davis officiating. Burial was
in North Hardin Memorial Gardens, Radcliff.
     
Hutcherson was a member of the Stithton Baptist Church.