Lifelong Ridgefield resident Clinton “Pete” Edward Hutchison died peacefully in his home Dec. 13, 2022. He was 97.
Pete was born in his parents' Ridgefield farmhouse to John and Otillia (Tillie) Hutchison on May 9, 1925.
He grew up farming and attended Lambert and Ridgefield schools. He graduated with the Ridgefield High School class of 1943.
He met the love of his life, Ruby Irene Bottemiller, at Lambert School. Their parents' farmlands bordered one another. Pete would trek across the fields and canyons to see Ruby daily, took cross-country trips with her family and attended schools with her. An old notebook with "Pete Loves Ruby" is a family treasure. They married Nov. 8, 1946.
Pete and Ruby had two sons, Dennis and Wesley. They both followed Spudder sports the boys participated in. That tradition followed with their grandchildren (Craig and Caitlin) and beyond after all family members had graduated.
Pete worked as a farmer, cannery worker, carpenter, bark dust delivery driver and multiple odd jobs throughout Ridgefield and regional communities with cousin Bill Bartel and Lloyd Nelson. His farming and ranching activities were performed on the 1880s homesteaded family farm.
Pete enjoyed the outdoors, farming, ranching, gardening, hunting and fishing. The latter two especially with his son, Dennis, and brother-in-law, Ronald Bottemiller.
In addition to following Spudder sports, Pete became an avid Oregon Ducks football fan. He attended home games in Autzen with his son Wes. He developed friendships with adjacent season ticket holders Jeannie and Terry Manning, and Dennis Stefani.
He experienced his first commercial airline flight en route to the 2010 Rose Bowl with Wes and bowl companions Donna and Susan Ota.
Pete was preceded in death by his parents John and Tillie, brother Jack, sister-in-law Loraine and wife Ruby.
He is survived by sons Dennis (Cindy) and Wes, grandchildren Craig (Charlie) and Caitlin Bassett (Keith), great-grandchildren Riley and Alex, nephews John and Jim, and niece Julie Natta.
The family expresses its deep gratitude to the Peace Health Hospice staff who assisted them this past six months to enable giving Pete an ultimate soft landing in his home.
A graveside celebration of life will be held in summer of 2023. In lieu of giving flowers, the family requests those who are able to donate to their charity of choice.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of All County Cremation and Burial Services.