John L. Hutyra

Lt. Col. John L. Hutyra, USAF Ret., age 83, of Woodway, passed away early Monday morning, August 20, 2012 at his residence. Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday at the West Brethren Church with Rev. Curtis Holland officiating. Military Graveside Rites will follow at the West Brethren Cemetery, conducted by the Dyess Air Force Base Honor Guard. The family will receive visitors from 10:00 a.m. until service time Wednesday at the church. Mr. Hutyra was born September 12, 1928 in Tokio, the son of John V. and Sophie (Dobias) Hutyra. He attended school in West and graduated from West High School in 1945. He received a Bachelor's Degree from Texas A&M and a Master's Degree from George Washington University. On September 17, 1951 he was united in marriage to Edith Elkins in Tokio. She preceded him in death on November 18, 1995. John served his country with the United State Air Force during the Korean and Vietnam Wars, where he flew bomber planes for the Strategic Air Command. With over 22 years in the Air Force, John retired at the rank of Lt. Colonel in 1972. He was a member of the West Brethren Church, S.P.J.S.T. Lodge No. 54, and very active in the Republican Party. He enjoyed traveling, doing yard work and watching the stock market. John is also preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Ernest Hutyra, Raymond Hutyra and Ben Roy Hutyra; and two sisters, Norma Scott and Josephine Hutyra. Survivors include a daughter, Melanie Robinson and husband John of Ypsilanti, Michigan; a son, John M. Hutyra of Colorado; three grandchildren, Jason Robinson, Marcus Robinson and wife Neymie, and Jennifer Robinson; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Pallbearers are John Robinson, Marcus Robinson, Wilburn Willis, Roy Janek, Rick Niemeyer and Travis Scott. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the West Brethren Church.