Bob Wayne Dutton, 75, of Midland, passed away on Saturday, October 8, 2022. A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, October 14, 2022 at 2:00 pm at First Methodist Church in Midland.
He was born in Borger, TX on March 12, 1947 to Bob and Mary Dutton. He was one of three children. He grew up in what he considered a “perfect time and place.” Days not spent in school or working were spent riding bikes, hunting rabbits, fishing, playing football, basketball, and baseball, and exploring the unfenced countryside around Borger.
He attended Borger schools. He had a sharp mind and a head for numbers, winning the school spelling bee in sixth grade and making the highest score on an Algebra math quiz in the eighth grade to win a math award. He attended Borger High School where he was Student Council Treasurer. He was voted Best Service his senior year. He graduated from Borger High School as a National Merit Scholarship Finalist. After graduation he went on to graduate from Texas Tech University. He earned both a finance degree and an accounting degree, as well as his CPA.
Bob served in the US Army as a Vietnamese linguist. He was attached to the 101st Airborne in Vietnam and was stationed at Phu Bai. This base was located close to the DMZ near the North Vietnamese border. It was a dangerous place to be and a scary time for his family, who waited for his safe return. He received an honorable discharge and several decorations.
Bob lived a rich full life and he loved life. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, and just being outdoors. To enjoy his hobbies he traveled to Colorado, Montana, Alaska, Mexico, and the Caribbean. He was a natural storyteller and came home with many tales that got bigger each time he told them.
Bob contributed to his community by serving on various community boards. While living in Odessa he was named Outstanding Young Man by the Odessa Jaycees. He was a founding member of the Midland Rape Crisis Board. He also served on the Spectrum of Solutions (formerly known as MARC) board. He was very active in his church. He taught the young adult Sunday School Class at St Mark’s Methodist Church in Midland, and he served on the Endowment Board and the Pastor Parrish Board at First Methodist Church of Midland.
In 1978 Bob opened Bob Dutton, CPA. The firm was started with himself and his longtime assistant Jeanette Pulse, and it grew and became Dutton Harris & Company, employing over thirty people. He was liked and respected as an accountant and as a boss. Many of his clients became close friends.
Bob’s greatest joy was his family. He married Lettie Ingram on January 28, 1968. He was proud of their two daughters and his five grandchildren. They moved often in the early years living in Lubbock, Monterey, California, Dallas, Odessa, and finally Midland, which became their home for over 40 years.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Mary and Bob Dutton, and by his younger sister, Becky Gruver. He is survived by Lettie Dutton, his wife of 54 years. He is also survived by his daughters Robin Cookston (husband Jeff) of San Francisco and Lara Weber (husband Steven) of Austin, his brother Richard Dutton (wife Barbara) of Palestine, Texas, his brother -in-law Davis Gruver of Littlefield, Texas, his brother-in-law Wayne Ingram of Canyon, Texas, five wonderful grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He also leaves behind many devoted friends who enriched his life in many ways.
The family would like to extend special thanks to Home Hospice of Midland for their care and concern as well as to Irene Lazano of Visiting Angels. Irene became a true angel for the family during the final months.
Honorary pallbearers will be employees and friends from Dutton, Harris, and Company.
If you would like to honor Bob’s memory the family suggests the West Texas Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity, or First Methodist Church of Midland. Bob was deeply loved and will be greatly missed.
Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences can be made at www.npwelch.com.
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