K.C. Wray Hutchin, 34

K.C. Wray Hutchin of Kalispell, formerly of Polson, went to the "Happy Hunting Grounds" New Year's Day 2012.

K.C. was born Feb. 21, 1977, in Polson, to Mike and Gayle Hutchin. He attended Polson schools and graduated from Charlo High School in 1995.

Soon after, he married Melissa Marmon of Dixon. Their marriage brought them two beautiful children, Sierra June and Riley Wray.

They later divorced, and K.C. met and married the love of his life, Mistie Dawn, who brought to their blended household four children, Zach, Savanna, Levi and Kinzie.

K.C. was raised with a love for the outdoors. By the age of 2, he was riding horses with his dad, hundreds of times riding from Jette Lake where his family lived all the way to Big Arm, cross country to visit his maternal grandparents, Ernie and Erma Davis.

He rode horses, roped and rodeoed for years, as well as hunted with his dad. Hunting included deer and elk. The hunts often included his paternal grandparents, Wray and Helen Hutchin.

Maternal and paternal grandparents baby-sat K.C. in his pre-school days. K.C. had a nickname for his Grandma Helen, calling her "broken ankle Grandma" and "broken ankle Grandma" was his main baby sitter for many years.

K.C. loved to swim, go for walks and catch fish at Indian Bay on Flathead Lake where Grandpa Wray and Grandma Helen lived.

K.C. truly loved hunting, fishing, camping, water sports, hunting prairie dogs and the outdoors, and he passed that love on to all those whose lives he touched. His activities always included his wife and children, teaching them the beauty of the outdoors.

K.C. was the consummate family man and husband, always involving the family in all activities.

K.C. had two very special buddies in his life, "Big" Allen Smith, a classmate, and Derek Davis, his cousin. Both loved K.C. dearly and shared their families with K.C. and Mistie, helping and teaching and coaching kids in outdoor "stuff," wrestling, and teaching them how to love and work together - his forte.

He worked at BMC (formerly Western Door) for approximately 14 years and developed their respect for his work ethic and how he related to fellow employees and the public. In June 2011, he made a career move to Montana Rock Work, where once again he excelled and developed more great work relationships, and once again proved his skills and talents. He truly enjoyed the job and business.

K.C. will be missed greatly by all whose lives he touched.

K.C. is survived by his wife, Mistie Dawn; Zach, Savanna, Levi and Kinzie, and his two children, Sierra and Riley; father, Mike, and Pat, of Polson; mother, Gayle Rose, and Ray, of Polson, paternal grandmother, Helen; maternal grandmother, Erma; and several aunts, uncles, cousins, stepbrothers and stepsisters.

Cremation has taken place, and a family memorial celebration of K.C.'s life will be held at a later date.