Richard “Dick” E. Cutler of Tarboro, N. C., died on February 23, 2021.
He is preceded in death by his parents Max, Enid, and Doris Cutler, sisters Arlene Thatcher and June Hanson. His sister-in-law Mavis Paulson Nixon recently died April 2022.
Dick was born May 8, 1936, in Preston, Minn., and graduated from Preston High School. He was a gifted athlete lettering in four sports and received the 1953 Minnesota All State Football Award. He received a football scholarship to Duke University.
In 1957, he married his high school sweetheart, Leanore M. Paulson at the Root Prairie Lutheran Church in Fountain, Minn.
In 1958, a highlight of his college football career was playing in the Orange Bowl in Miami, Fla. Dick graduated from Duke in 1959 and received a master’s degree in education. He was a lifelong educator and received numerous professional awards, and in death was a “silent educator,” donating his body to science at the Duke University Medical School.
Dick was a devoted husband to Lea for 63 years, and beloved father to Jill Cutler Farley of Lynchburg, Va., (grandsons Matthew and Andrew), Pat Cutler Kiley of Lake Lure, N. C. (Brian, grandsons Craig and Patrick), Jeff Cutler of Raleigh, N. C. (Holly, grandchildren Allie and Cole), and four great-grandchildren.
He was an active member in his community and church where he lived. He continued to love sports, attending Duke football games, cheering on the Duke basketball team. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed watching his grandchildren play lacrosse, basketball, baseball, and soccer, and musical recitals. He gave many golf lessons and life lessons to his family and friends. After retirement he enjoyed traveling to Hawaii, Norway, Iberian Peninsula, Alaska and U.S. destinations. He was a grill master and famous for his spicy chicken. He enjoyed playing cards, maintained a beautiful yard and enjoyed spending time outside on the deck for happy hour. He was a man faith, integrity, wisdom and generosity, giving his time freely.
A memorial/celebration of Dick will be held at the Preston United Methodist Church, 212 St. Anthony St., Preston, Minn., on Sunday, June 5 at 2 p.m. Visitation at 1 p.m. in the fellowship hall.
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