Ben Hutton

ROGERS, Ark. — Dr. Ben Oscar Hutton, 83, of Rogers passed away Friday, May 27, 2016, at the Circle of Life Hospice in Bentonville, Arkansas.

Ben was born Dec. 17, 1932, in Cassville, Missouri, to Oscar B. and Ruth C. Dunn Hutton. On Feb. 20, 1955, he was united in marriage to Sue Easley, daughter of Everette and Lucile Easley of Mano, Missouri, at First Baptist Church, Cassville, with the Rev. O.V. Dodson officiating. To this union two sons, Jeffrey Mark and Stephen Lee, were born.

Ben began his education in Cassville, graduating from high school with the class of 1950, where he participated in sports and music, and was a member of the 1948 Marble Bowl Championship football team. He then attended Southwest Missouri State (SMS) one year before joining the Navy in December 1951. Ben served aboard the transport ship USS General W.A. Mann, during the Korean War making 40 (20 round) trips across the Pacific carrying troops to and from Japan and Korea.

Following his discharge in December 1955, he returned to Cassville and worked as an electrician at his family’s business, Hutton Electric, before returning to college in September 1956. He received a B.S. in business education from SMS in 1959, obtained a master’s degree in counseling from Drury University in 1961, and completed a Doctor of Education Degree (Ed.D) in Counselor Education from the University of Arkansas in 1968.

Professionally, Ben began his teaching career in Fair Play, Missouri, where he taught business courses and served as principal for three years. He then became the junior high school counselor at Carthage, Missouri, for three years and spent two years at Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas, serving in the Field Placement Department. In 1968, after completing the Doctor of Education Degree from the University of Arkansas, he began teaching at Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau. In 1974 he went to The University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, where he was professor and director of the Counseling Lab. In 1982, he began teaching at Walsh University in Canton, Ohio, serving as full professor of Counseling Psychology and Dean of Graduate Studies. Ben retired in 1995 after 35 years of teaching, six years in public schools and 27 years in higher education.

He was a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, was a member of several professional organizations including Chi Sigma Iota, a clinical member of AAMFT, an instructor for the Institute of Reality Therapy and was a member of First Baptist Church, Cassville. Ben was recognized as an outstanding teacher, mentor and friend to his many students during his teaching career. In the last few weeks of his life, he enjoyed speaking by phone to several former students and colleagues whom he loved dearly.

To say that teaching was Ben’s passion is an understatement. He loved heading to the university every day and always encouraged students to continue their education. He loved to read, especially history. He was an avid fly fisherman as long as his health permitted and taught both his boys the art. He loved to watch movies every night with his wife, Sue, and loved Arkansas Razorback football. A highlight of his life was a visit just days before his passing from Arkansas head football coach Bret Bielema. Coach Bielema spent a half hour talking Razorback football with Ben, and even welcomed a few tips on offensive formations and uniform colors.

Surviving is his wife, Sue, of 61 years; two sons, Jeff and wife Renee’ and Steve and wife Joni; four grandchildren, Amanda Hutton Bond and husband Jaret, Benjamin Jackson Hutton, Michael Lee Hutton and Tyler Mark Hutton; three great-grandchildren, Jailyn Renee’, Jordyn Leigh and Jackson Keith Bond; one sister, Peggy Queen Williams of Huntsville, Alabama; sister-in-law Nancy Mitchell Hutton of Gardner, Kansas; and several nieces and nephews.

Ben was preceded in death by his parents; brother Jim; and (baby) sister Mary Melissa.

Private family graveside services will be at 11 a.m. today at Horner Cemetery, under direction of Fohn Funeral Home, Cassville. No visitation will be held prior to the graveside services.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Cassville Alumni Scholarship Fund in honor of Dr. Ben O. Hutton. Mail to: Cassville School District, Attn: Jill LeCompte, 1501 Main St., Cassville, MO 65625.

Visit www.fohnfuneralhome.com for online obituaries, guestbook and private condolences.