Elton Ray Hutchison

HUTCHISON, ELTON RAY (1932 ~ 2014). The following is an obituary for Elton Ray Hutchison, former member of the Texas House of Representatives. The obituary was provided by Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home.

Ray Hutchison, was born in Rockwall, Texas, September 16, 1932 and passed away March 30, 2014, at U.T. Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas at the age of 81.

At the time of his death, Ray was a partner at the law firm of Bracewell & Giuliani LLP in Dallas. During his more than 50 year career, he served as bond counsel to state and local governments and was regarded as the dean of bond lawyers in the State of Texas. He played a pivotal role in many of the most significant public projects in North Texas. Members of the legal community often commented that no public project happened in North Texas without some involvement by Ray Hutchison.

Ray played a key role in the development of the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Dallas Area Rapid Transit, Texas Stadium, AT&T Stadium, American Airlines Center, the Ballpark at Arlington and the Texas Motor Speedway, among others during his career. He also led the negotiations to move the Washington Senators to Arlington to become the Texas Rangers.

He developed groundbreaking approaches to financings, many of which are widely used today. He had the ability to bring together the often conflicting interests of good public policy, practical financial restraints and the requirements of private enterprise to accomplish significant public developments.

A lifelong Republican, Ray was instrumental in forming and influencing the modern Republican Party in Texas. He served in the Texas House of Representatives from 1973 to 1977, and, was chosen each term as one of Texas' Ten Best Legislators. He served as chairman of the Texas Republican Party from 1976 to 1977. After leaving electoral politics in 1978, he became a trusted behind-the-scenes counselor for Republicans across the state, and was an invaluable partner and supporter as his wife, Kay Bailey, ran successfully for state and then federal office.

Ray served in the United States Navy from 1952 through 1954. He graduated from Southern Methodist University with a B.B.A. with honors in 1957, and cum laude from Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law with his J.D. in 1959. He received the Charles O. Galvin Award for Service to the Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law in 2000 and was given the Jurisprudence Award by the Anti-Defamation League in 2003.

He is survived by his wife, former U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, his brother, O.B. Hutchison and sister-in-law Rosella Hutchison of Dallas; children, Brenda Maxon and husband, Earl Maxon of El Paso, Texas, Julie Krebs of Phoenix, Arizona, Bailey Hutchison and Houston Hutchison; and grandchildren Travis, Camille, Hailey, Ashton and Aaron. He was preceded in death by his father, Oscar Bryant Hutchison and his mother, Lula Stovall Hutchison, brothers, James E. Hutchison, Billy Joe Hutchison, sister, Dorothy Hutchison Dees and son, Bradley Hutchison.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, Thursday, April 3 at Church of the Incarnation in Dallas followed by a reception at the Meadows Museum at SMU. Graveside services will be at the Texas State Cemetery in Austin on Friday, April 4. Honorary pallbearers are John Attanasio, Allan Bailey, Frank Bailey, David Beckwith, John Boyle, Ben Brooks, Web Carr, Marshall Doke, Jim Francis, Dr. Eugene Frenkel, former U.S. Senator Phil Gramm, O.B. Hutchison, Lee Jackson, Patrick Oxford, Rayford Price, Dr. Al Roberts, Karl Rove, Bob Thomas, Dr. Gerald Turner and Dr. John Warner. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the SMU Law School Scholarship Fund, 3315 Daniel, Dallas, Texas 75205 or to a charity of your choice.