Cecil “Chip” Homer Hutchinson, 63, of Pulaski, Va., went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2016.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Earnest Charles and Muriel Lytton Hutchinson.
Left to cherish his memory are Crystal and Katerina Whittaker; sister Robin Turner and husband Dave of Bland, Va.; sister Deidra Foley and husband Bob of Pulaski, Va.; nieces and nephews Jenna Dunn, Jonathan Dunn, and Jeb and Sarah Hodges, all of Bland, Jessica and Brian Townsend of North Carolina, Will and Stefany Turner of Bland, Chuck Foley and Desiree of Radford, Va.; and nine great-nieces and great-nephews.
Chip is remembered by the community for his many works in the fire service. He first joined Pulaski Fire Department as a volunteer in July 1977 before becoming a career firefighter in May 1978. Chip was promoted to Fire Inspector in February 1991, and became Lieutenant in March 1991. Chip later became Fire Marshal in May 1994 until his retirement from the Fire Marshal’s Office in July 2010. He continued as a volunteer with Pulaski Fire Department and retired as a life member in March 2011. He was also certified as a building official, property maintenance official, fire official, fire investigator and enforced numerous town codes. He was honored to graduate from the Law Enforcement for Fire Marshals at the Virginia Fire Marshal Academy in November 2003, and at that time was appointed as a Special Deputy Conservator of the Peace by Pulaski County Sheriff Jim Davis.
Chip will be most remembered for his fire prevention programs that reached more than 2,000 children each year. Chip introduced “Sparkey the Fire Dog” to the programs in Pulaski, worked with the National Fire Safety Council to ensure that each child received fire prevention material to take home, and introduced Pulaski’s first Fire Prevention Robot, Safe T Sam.
Countless hours were provided by Chip as he taught firefighters with up-to-date training on firefighting techniques and safety. Many firefighters across the state received training and lessons due to his dedication to fire programs as a fire service instructor.
Chip was a member of Christ Fellowship Church in Pulaski, and a celebration of Chip’s life will be 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18, at the church, located at 525 Commerce Street in Pulaski.