Duane Hutton

Duane Hutton, 95, a long-time Keating area rancher passed away peacefully on June 10th, 2024 at home with family by his side. A traditional funeral service with Military Honors will be held at the Methodist Church in Baker City, Oregon on Saturday, June 29, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. Interment to follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery. Friends are invited to join the family back at the church for a reception following the interment.

Duane was born July 9th, 1928 in Baker, Oregon. He was the last of 7 children of Oran and Alma (Gilkison) Hutton. He was raised with his 2 brothers and 4 sisters on the family ranch in Keating. Duane’s education started in a small schoolhouse that he rode his pony, Tommy, to get to on days he attended school.  His mother’s diary always read something like “Duane went to school today” or “Duane didn’t go to school today”.  No matter – he received proof that he graduated and always told us he graduated from “The University of Goose Creek.”

 He married the love of his life, Marilyn Henderson on June 4, 1949 and had two children, Michael and Julie. After marrying Marilyn Hutton June 4, 1949, they both enjoyed spending time traveling with the Cattlemen’s Association and even traveled to North Carolina to watch a dear friend coach the girl’s golf team for Duke University.  On one such trip, Dad was asked to sing with an orchestra.  He got on stage and could think of only one lyric from one song….so he sang “I’m looking over a blue leaf clover” over and over and over and over again…but did receive an ovation for doing that and talked about how famous he may have been if he would have pursued a singing career.  He and Marilyn would sing together The Hawaiian Wedding song while taking Mike, Julie and Marilyn’s siblings, Clare and Cary to the drive-in movie theater – which was a very big deal back then.

 In 1951, he and his brother Wally took over the ranch and it became the Hutton Brothers ranch. The Bar 2 Bar brand was well known throughout Keating and Baker Valley. He was one of the ranchers that started the weekly poker club in Keating valley.  This event took place each week at a different member’s house and as far as Duane knew – there are still relatives or new members keeping the weekly event going. The only time he left the ranch was when he served in the Army during the Second World War and after his retirement. While serving in the US Army, he received the WWII Victory Medal and upon an Honorable Discharge July 16, 1947, was listed as a Surgical Technician -Rifle M-1 Sharpshooter. 

In the early 1970s, just before retiring from all the hard years of ranching, Duane's oldest brother Bus introduced him and Marilyn to the world of golfing...before long they were hooked! After retiring they moved to Baker and both became avid golfers. Between all the years of ranching and all the years of golf, they made many friends who have remained in touch. Any family or friend who came for a visit were sure to be entertained with a great story and always left with a smile on their face.

He had many achievements during his life, some including his nine years of service as a Director for the Farm Credit Service from 1977-1986.  He was also President of the Cattlemen’s Association. He received an Outstanding Public Service award from the Bureau of Land Management, and we are relatively sure he received that award as they were hoping to keep him quiet.  The American Legion also honored him with a Membership award.  And – he and Marilyn both rode in the annual 4th of July parade as Grand Marshalls of Baker County twice!

Because golfing was one of the things he and Marilyn loved so much, they received the Lifetime Member of the Baker City Golf course way back July 1 of 1993.  He was known for his golf cart antics and his fellow golfers presented him with a plaque that read “One Year Course in the Safe Operation of a Golf Cart – AKA Crash Hutton.

His love for his kids and grandkids was evident his whole life…from teaching them how to ride a horse, to drive, to hunt and to fish.    As years went by, Duane and Marilyn were known for still attending basketball, football, soccer and various other sport activities in support of other children and grandchildren belonging to their friends.

Duane is survived by his children Mike and his wife Terri of North Powder, Julie Adkinson of Welches, Oregon, and Deborah Helgerson of Portland, Oregon; 5 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, parents and all six of his siblings.

For those who would like to make a donation in memory of Duane, the family suggests Heart and Home Hospice in Baker City or Teisha's Place in Portland. Donations can be made through Tami's Pine Valley Funeral Home and Cremation Services, PO Box 543, Halfway, Oregon 97834. Online condolences may be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com.