James “Jim” Arthur Offutt
Mr. Offutt, a resident of Huntsville, Alabama since 1966, passed away on March , 2021 at the age of 85. He was born in Mexico, Missouri. He and his family moved to Wyoming when he was a child. At age 16, he moved from his parents’ home to live in Los Angeles, California with his elder brother, Joe C. Offutt, Jr., where he worked for Knotts Berry Farm for a year before joining his brother at Chrysler Corporation.
At 21, he moved back to Wyoming and purchased The Lone Tree Cafe, which he managed with his mother until being drafted into the U. S. Army in 1958 where he served as a paratrooper and medic in the 101st Airborne, the “Screaming Eagles.” While stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, he met and married his wife, Dixie Lee Ables. They met on a blind date in Nashville, Tennessee. He transferred to the U. S. Army Reserves in 1960 and joined the firm CFW Construction in Fayetteville, Tennessee.
He received an Honorable Discharge from the U. S. Army in 1964, and two years later he and his family moved to Huntsville where he took a position with G.W. Jones and Sons as a Professional Land Surveyor. He continued his education in Civil Engineering at the University of Alabama Huntsville and earned the reputation as one of the best Design Draftsmen of subdivisions and roadways in Northern Alabama. He retired after 36 years with G.W. Jones.
For a decade in the 1970s, he served as Scoutmaster to Troop 176. Under his leadership, six boys earned the Eagle Scout rank, including his two sons. He was also a talented wood carver, cabinet maker and carpenter.
He was preceded in death by his parents Joe C. Offutt and Virginia Scott Offutt Curless, as well as his step-mother, Lee Gleghorn Offutt, and his step-father, Eugene Curless.
He is survived by his wife, Dixie, following 61 years of a loving and mutually supportive marriage; his brother Joe C. Offutt, Jr. (Mary) – Missouri; two sons, Jim Offutt, Jr. (Chris) – Florida, and Ron Offutt (Judy) – Connecticut; and two grandchildren, Mary Offutt and Adam Offutt – Connecticut.
Valhalla Funeral Home in Huntsville is assisting the family with a private service.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Red Cross at redcross.org.
