Alvin L. Hutsen

Alvin Levelle "Lee" Hutsen, of Topeka, formerly of Oklahoma City, OK, was born October 23, 1953 to Jean and Gerald "Razz" Raspberry. He passed away April 17, 2013 and is survived by his brother, Rodney; sister, Donna; three sons, Shiloah Hutsen, Michael Hutsen, and Alan Teska; and several grandchildren.

Lee was a retired machinist, owner-operator of a small engine repair service, and owner-operator of Bigg Lee's snack bar inside the Oklahoma State Capitol. Lee was blind for the last 20 years of his life, but still managed to operate as a business owner. Lee was preceded in death by his wife Mary Hutsen and his parents. At Lee's request there will not be any contemporary services. His cremated remains will be scattered at the burial site of his mother on May 4, 2013 at 3:00p.m.

Lee left an impression on everyone he met. He was most often referred to as a character. Quick to laugh, stubborn as a mule, he carried himself as a giant. When he entered a room, he was usually the center of attention. He was the life of the party, but more than that, he was a natural born entertainer. The man knew something about everything, and always had a joke or a story about any topic. He was our dad.

Lee had flaws. He wasn't afraid to let you see his flaws. But by showing us his flaws, he helped us to not suffer his weaknesses. He tried to make everyone around him be better people. He was our dad.

Lee was a fighter. He never backed down from a confrontation and he never showed fear. He was the bravest, most capable man I knew. He was our dad.

Lee was never alone. He burned through relationships without a care for what the future might hold. Even in his last days at the nursing home, he still had women calling to check on him and bringing him gifts. He was our dad.

Lee always stood up for his beliefs. He was a firm believer in the ability of people to change, and in a person's right to make mistakes. He believed in a person's need to learn from their mistakes. He was our dad.

My dad was not always there for me when I was growing up. But in the time we had, he was able to teach me what kind of man I wanted to be, and more importantly what kind of father I wanted to be. My dad loved his family and even though he could be hard to handle, we never doubted his love for us. He was my dad.

As long as we love and remember you, you will never really be gone. As long as my children listen to stories of their grandpa Lee, you will live on. You have the peace now that you have longed for. You went away as fast as you lived, and even in death you are still teaching me things. Thank you for being an organ donor and giving back to others in need. Thank you for the childhood memories that I will always cherish. Thank you for teaching me how to be tough but fair. Thank you for the intelligence you pushed me to learn. Thank you for teaching me how to love so completely. Thank you for my sense of humor. Thank you for teaching me that no story is worth telling without some flair. Thank you for having faith in me, even when I didn't have faith in myself. But most of all, thank you for being my dad.

We love you and will miss you forever.