May 31, 1951 – July 31, 2024
Funeral services for Barry Hutchinson, 73, of Dakota Dunes, formerly of Isabel, were held Sunday, August 4, 2024 at the Isabel Community Center in Isabel. Burial was Monday, August 5, 2024, at the Hillview Cemetery at Isabel under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge.
Barry passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, July 31, 2024.
Barry was born May 31, 1951, in Kadoka to Larry and Darlene Hutchinson. His early life was spent in White River with his parents, his four brothers, and many friends.
Barry loved all animals, especially horses and dogs. This love, along with a hefty dose of ornery, helped Barry become a true cowboy. He qualified for the National High School Rodeo Finals and continued his rodeo career at South Dakota State University. He eventually became the SDRA steer wrestling champion with a saddle and buckle to prove it.
It was at SDSU that Barry met the love of his life, Micki Waddell of Isabel. The two were married on December 23, 1972, and soon added two boys to their family, Brock and Richie. The family lived on a ranch north of Isabel. Barry was very proud of his boys and their accomplishments. Barry’s rodeo career ended when a horse threw him and broke his neck. Barry’s love of horses remained strong, though, and he traveled across the country racing his horses, often with the boys tagging along.
Barry loved being a dad, even more than he loved being a cowboy, and not just to his own boys, but to their friends and his nephews, too. Barry loved teaching them to fish and hunt and hauling them around to basketball camps and games.
His love for his grandkids is what finally pulled him from his West River roots — this and maybe getting trampled by an angry elk. In 2017, Micki and Barry moved to Dakota Dunes to watch their grandkids grow up and cheer them on in their many activities. Barry always had time to take them out hunting and fishing or to get ice cream. And yes, Barry shared his love of pranks with this new generation. Ba r r y enjoyed spending time with customers and staff at Brock’s Big Outdoors and Big Frig and helping out at trade shows where he could live out his legendary persona, White Buffalo. Barry never knew a stranger. He was always there for people no matter who they were. Barry was a kid at heart and generously shared whatever he had with whoever needed it. He had a great sense of humor and a sharp eye for noticing things that most people missed. Barry was a prankster who was always angling for the laugh. He loved taking people coyote calling, only to have them find Bigfoot instead. Barry regularly introduced new friends to ranch life through a friendly game of Grabbits. Nothing was off limits when it came to pranking, even frozen rattlesnakes.
Barry is survived by his loving wife, Micki; their two sons, Brock (Maxine) Hutchinson and Richie (Allison) Hutchinson; seven grandchildren; four brothers, Randy Hutchinson, Bill (Chris) Hutchinson, Bob (Carol) Hutchinson, and Ronnie Hutchinson; and many nieces and nephews.
As a memorial, please consider a donation to the great work of Isabel Future Visions at Box 332, Isabel, SD 57633.
(Micki Hutchinson’s address is 354 Prairie Blvd., Dakota Dunes, SD 57049.)