Republic file photo Jim Hutson works behind the microphone at WYGS radio station.
In the online video clip, southern gospel vocalist Jim Hutson’s voice resonates strongly with a compassionate chorus as he sings:
God knows.
And God cares.
He knows the answer
To all your prayers.
The 55-year-old Hutson died Saturday at Our Hospice of South Central Indiana after a 10-month battle with pancreatic cancer he shared very publicly on social media. Those who knew him and listened to his music and during his shifts as a DJ on local southern gospel radio station WYGS (91.1 FM) say his voice will resonate far into the future about God’s love and comfort.
“He did a yeoman’s job (as a Christian),” said Steve Fisher, a former WYGS general manager who brought him back to the station a few years ago after Hutson had gone elsewhere.
A measure of irony lay in the fact that the man who prayed publicly on air every workday for others calling the station at lunch time had been the focus of a number of spiritual petitions amid area church prayer chains, and listeners’ prayers in more than a dozen counties. Plus, a number of churches held hymn sing fundraisers to help the family cover medical bills.
Hutson knew the power of God’s healing after recovering from near-fatal injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident in 2009. But he also knew well what he was facing with his cancer diagnosis. He said so in a Republic story last spring just after he was diagnosed, and added that he was passionately praying for all his loved ones to embrace, or return to the faith even more than he was asking for healing.
He believed that, sometimes, illness could grab people’s attention about spiritual matters.
“If something like this is what it takes to bring people back to Christ — even if this were to take my life — then it’s all worth it,” he said.
WYGS’ reminiscing morning show Monday featured stories about Hutson’s obsession with everything from evangelism to his well-coiffed hair that he often joked was needed as a southern gospel singer. The station’s webpage Monday morning featured the following note, emphatic capitalizations and all:
“We rejoice that he is no longer in pain and is singing the Official Music of Heaven, but we will miss our friend. We will be celebrating his life and memories all week and his legacy will continue on through the music and spirit. Please keep all of his family and friends in your prayers as they mourn and remember this amazing man. If you’re listening, be sure to Crank It Up!”
“Crank it up!” was Hutson’s enthusiastic on-air catchphrase that he often employed — so much so that Fisher once had business cards made for Hutson, giving him the lighthearted title as “director of crank it up.”
Hutson’s son Matt has been a DJ at the station for several years.
“We’re a family,” Matt Hutson said on-air Monday morning, referring to WYGS staff and listeners. “And we’re going to get though this just like a family does — together.”
Hutson, who earned The Singing News’ national Golden Mic Award in 2015 for his DJ work, enjoyed the togetherness of the local Wheels of Faith Christian Motorcyclists Association chapter, which he served as vice president. He also was vice president of Good Shepherd Radio, the umbrella entity for WYGS.
Keith Maddox, president and executive director of WYGS and a local, pop-rock Christian sister station known as Bridge FM, was especially impressed with Hutson’s personal peace perspective when they spoke at length just after Thanksgiving.
“I’m going to be healed eventually,” Hutson told Maddox. “That’s whether it’s here on earth or when I get to heaven. And I’m good with whatever way the Lord chooses.”
Besides gospel music performances with southern gospel groups such as the Woodsmen, Hutson also regularly sang seasonal tunes as a Salvation Army bell ringer for several years at high-visibility locations such as the entrance to Kroger Marketplace. In December 2015 during one such a stint in freezing weather, one shopper after another praised his joyful spirit and vocals.
John Bundick was among those that day.
“Grocery shopping can be like drudgery,” Bundick said then. “But when you can hear a guy like him (Hutson), you realize, ‘Hey — this isn’t so bad.’”
On Facebook, WYGS listeners flooded a few feeds with memories of Hutson’s kindness, humor, and love for Jesus. In a 2015 Republic story, the radio veteran was asked where he wanted to be in 10 years. Even though his morning show required him to get up at 3:15 a.m., he still named the radio station as his preference.
“I love this job,” he said. “When I left once, I was miserable. And I was still waking up before 4 in the morning.”
Services
Funeral services for Jim Hutson will be held at 1 p.m. Friday at Parkside Baptist Church, 1780 Rocky Ford Road in Columbus with the Rev. Rick Hillard officiating. Calling hours will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Parkside Baptist Church and one hour prior to the service on Friday. Burial will be at Garland Brook Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home to help with expenses.
