Dr. Carroll Tate “Doc” Hutchens, II, was born Nov. 2, 1944, in Sherman, Texas, to Carroll Tate Hutchens, Sr. and Louetta Hutchens. Carroll was a respected dentist, renowned sportsman, and a generous soul. He died peacefully with his family by his side Friday morning, July 9.
Carroll was raised in Prairie Village, Kansas (a suburb of Kansas City, Kansas), where he grew up with a passion for golfing, hunting, and fishing. He competed and won many field trials with his champion bird dog “Colonel.” In 1963, Carroll graduated from Shawnee Mission East High School. Then, following in his father’s footsteps, he attended his beloved Oklahoma State University where he was also a member of its renowned golf team. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1967.
Carroll went on to earn a Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. After graduation in 1971, he moved to Durant, Okla., and built a thriving dental practice that grew into what is today Westside Family Dentistry, where this past week he celebrated his 50th year in practice.
1971 was a pivotal year for Carroll. That year he met his wife and best friend of 49 years, Joanne Mullins. Carroll and Joanne tackled life together as the ultimate team, raising their family and building a dental practice. Carroll immediately introduced Joanne to the sporting life presenting her with a shotgun for her birthday and insisting she learn to fly an airplane. Together they hunted, fished and golfed throughout their entire marriage. Although their life together was exceptionally adventurous, their family was always first.
An avid sportsman, Carroll traveled extensively stalking big game in Africa, bill fishing in Central America, and bird hunting and sport fishing throughout North America. He introduced the sporting life to all he met, but his greatest love was hunting and fishing with his son, CT.
A scratch golfer and accomplished pilot, he excelled in all pursuits.
He was an expert marksman and participated in the invitation only One Shot Antelope Hunt in Lander, Wyo., where his hunting partner was United States Secretary of the Interior, James Watt, who later wrote to thank him for “shooting the one I missed.”
He loved people and enjoyed countless hunting and golfing trips with friends and family where he could be counted on to give his unvarnished opinion on any topic.
Carroll was a force of nature known for his larger than life personality and unspoken generosity, spoiling family, friends, patients and staff alike. 
He was a true intellectual, a connoisseur of fine food, great wine and smooth whiskey. Although raised in the city, Carroll loved country life and, in his later years, enjoyed raising cattle at the family ranch.
He led many local and state organizations from President of the Durant High School Athletics Booster Club to a member of the Water for Wildlife Foundation Board of Directors in Lander, Wyo., which is still a prominent force in water conservation today.
He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and loyal friend. He had an impact on all he met and inspired and mentored many young people to pursue a career in dentistry, many of whom are practicing dentists today.
But, “Here’s the Deal,” Carroll will be remembered as a true gallant that lived life to the fullest. He left a magnificent legacy and will be remembered as a true gentleman but with bold remarks.
Carroll is preceded in death by his father, Carroll Tate Hutchens, Sr., and his mother Louetta Hutchens; his paternal grandparents, Reid and Weneva Hutchens, Sr., and maternal grandparents, Floyd and Mary Bailey.
Carroll is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Joanne, of Durant; daughter, Raquel Schmitz and husband Eric of Mountain Springs, Texas; son, C.T. Hutchens and wife, Stacy of Durant; daughter Heather Hutchens of Mountain Springs, Texas; grandson, Cameron Hutchens and granddaughter, Adison Hutchens of Durant; sister, Nancy Mowrey and husband Rob of Dallas, Texas, and sister Debra Brown of Fayetteville, Ark.; mother-in-law, Nona Mullins and brother-in-law Richard Mullins of Durant; nieces: Hannah Hutchens Clarke, Torrie Mullins Edge, and Bailey Brown; nephews: Nathan Mowrey, John Reid Mowrey, Tate Mowrey, Hunter Brown, and Andrew Mowrey.
Family hour will be from 6-7 p.m. on Thursday, July 15 at the Holmes~Coffey~Murray Funeral Home in Durant, Okla.
A celebration of his life will be at 2 p.m. on Friday, July 16 at the First Baptist Church in Durant, Okla. with Bro. James Robinson officiating. His earthly resting place will be the Highland Cemetery in Durant, Okla. with Dr. Brandon Beaver, Adam Cole, Dr. Taylor Marcum, Tony Tubbs, John Frank, and Charlie Hutchinson as his pallbearers. His honorary pallbearers will be Jayme Brown, Dr. Bob Bruton, Bill Elliott, Leon Richardson, Red Rutherford, Dell Wood, Val Wood, Ron Manning, and Billy Boone.
The service will be available to view via the funeral home Facebook page.
Services are under the direction of Holmes~Coffey~Murray Funeral Home in Durant, Okla. www.holmescoffeymurray.com
2 Comments
So saddened to hear of his passing. He was an amazing man always positive and kind. Our condolences to his sweet family.
There are no words to describe my love and admiration for Carroll, “Dr. Huchens”, at the office. Long time family friend. I know he will have many laughs to share in Heaven with Mom (Suzanne Hatch Garrison), at her expense, with Farrell Hatch! But my special relationship with Carroll was 10 years of learning dentistry from top to bottom, general to specialty. This prepared me for a move to the Dallas Metroplex area and a very respectful 36 year career in dental/surgical operations. I finished many punchlines to his jokes and climactic finishes to hunting stories, chairside that I had sat through so many…many times. He would get so mad but still we would laugh about it. He loved his patients very much and was the best at what he did. Joanne, my love to you and the kids. You are family!