James Hutchison

James L. Hutchison, 68, of Canjilon, New Mexico, passed away on Saturday, April 29^th, 2023, surrounded by his family and friends.

James, better known as Jim, Mr. Jim, Jimbo, and Jimmy was born December 11, 1954, to Frederick L. and Shirley P. Hutchison in Leesburg, Virginia.  He was the middle child with an older sister and younger brother.

Jim grew up on the family farm in Aldie, Virginia where his love for the outdoors was nurtured, he especially loved bird hunting, a Thanksgiving Day tradition with his dad, uncles, and cousins.  He was also known to be mischievous, causing trouble with his siblings and cousins. He loved to revel in those memories with deep belly laughs and a cold blue can.

During his lifetime, Jim worked as a staffer on Capitol Hill for Congressman Harold “Mud” Runnels, working in the oil fields of SE New Mexico, as a dog trainer, and as a bartender extraordinaire. Then, in his late twenties, he landed a long and fulfilling career in Annapolis, Maryland, living on a sailboat, traveling internationally, and being on the waters of the Chesapeake Bay.

After leaving the boating industry, he headed west to New Mexico to fill his dream of becoming a cowboy.  He loved being on the land, the spring branding, and the fall gathering of cattle in Chicoma and the Valles Caldera, cowboy campouts, and, most of all, sharing his love of music. He took pride in his vast musical collection and loved to play his harmonicas and strum his guitar for anyone who would listen.

The village of Canjilon was his final residence, where he found peace, love, friends, and family.

He is predeceased by his parents and is survived by his two adult children and their spouses, his two siblings, four grandchildren, and a chosen family of many in Canjilon.

“He was a damn good friend.”

Services will be private.

The family of James Hutchison has entrusted the care of their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of Espanola, NM. 505-747-7477. www.devargasfh.com