Don Keith McCutchen

Don Keith McCutchen, born August 2, 1941, to Vonly Buel and Wilma Crosby McCutchen in Jennings, Louisiana, went to join his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, March 14, 2024. Mr. McCutchen fought a long battle with Pulmonary Fibrosis. He is survived by his wife, Valerie Beck McCutchen, daughter Dina Doebbler (Drew), grandsons Cade and Hunter Null, granddaughter Ryleigh Doebbler, and bonus grandchildren Vincent (Angela), Georgi, and Dominic Doebbler.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sisters, Gaye McCutchen and Margo Crosby.

Mr. McCutchen graduated from Jennings High School and then Louisiana State University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and attended graduate school at the University of Houston.

Mr. McCutchen joined NASAs Johnson Spacecraft Center in 1964 and became a specialist in spacecraft vibration, shock, and acoustic environments. He was Subsystem Manager during Apollo, Skylab, Space Shuttle and Space Station programs as well as Project Engineer, Project Manager and Program Manager in a number of NASA programs.

Mr. McCutchen enjoyed water skiing, photography, and hunting, particularly in west Texas, Colorado, and Wyoming for mule deer and elk. He was also a NASTAR Gold Metal snow Skier.

After retirement, “Mr. Don’, as he became known, began competing in NCHA cutting horse competitions around the country. Mr. Don at 70 years old, was probably one of the oldest “beginners” on record. He was joined by his grandsons, Cade and Hunter in the competitions. Along with many lesser awards, Mr. Don won the Senior World Championship in the $15K Amateur in 2019.

Mr. McCutchen was a member of the ASME, NRA, SE Texas Forest Land Owners Association, and a Director and Life Member of the Texas Forestry Association; He also served as Chairman of the Texas Forest Landowners Council.

Friends are invited to join the family for a visitation starting at 1 PM on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at Hardin Methodist Church 1005 FM 834 West, Hardin, Texas. Services will be held at the Hardin Methodist Church on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at 2PM, with Reverend Gydeon Watson presiding, followed by burial at the adjacent Hardin Chapel Cemetery.