The obituary notice of David Leslie (Pops) HUTCHINGS

My Pops 💌

If love could build bridges, I’d meet you every morning. Coffee in hand, watching the day wake up, listening to you remind me,
as you always did, that tomorrow is worth showing up for.
I still miss the ordinary things. The conversations we never got to finish. The stories I’ve collected that only you would’ve truly appreciated. Some days I still reach for the phone before remembering that silence answers now.

But grief has changed its shape. I no longer count the years since you left.

I count the years your love has continued
to guide my hands, steady my heart, and point me home.

The trail between us is longer than I’d like,
but I know one day it ends where you are waiting.

Until then, I’ll keep riding.
So you ride easy, Maverick.

With all my love,
Your kid. 🤍

Dad as promised we have taken you every where in the last 2 years wherever in the world we have been you have come with us the air miles have truly been clocked up. 2027 will be the final trip we all do as a family to the one place you always dreamed of going but never got the chance xx the future is unknown another path to ride watch over us kids until we are all together again xx your voice will always been heard in the messages your have given not just from above but the ones we have you left behind for us to know exactly where your life’s path took you and the truth behind it all xx you will always be remembered and never be forgotten xx we will forever miss you Dad love all your kids xx

Another year has passed Daddy, but I get
to hear you voice everyday thank you God for those recordings when your voice was actually heard loudly and not drowned out … and song embraced you. We miss you endlessly X

There are just no words, no piece of paper big enough to write to you to tell you just how much I miss you. There is not a day that goes past where I do not think of you and the grief that has been left behind. The unimaginable pain of knowing…my heart is shattered. I miss you so much, Forever you are and always will be … Daddy 💔

Good morning, my Maverick,

It’s been a year now,
Since the world lost your boots on the ground—
But not your spirit.
That rides beside me still,
like dust trails in the golden morning sun.

Somehow, through the quiet,
you speak louder than ever.
In the little things—
the choices I make,
the strength I find
when I thought I had none.
You’re still the compass in my wild west.

I miss your laugh,
that stubborn grin that said,
“You’ll be alright, kid.”
And somehow, I am—
because you taught me how to hold steady
when the wind kicks up.

You might be gone in body, Pops,
but you’re carved into the grain of who I am.
And in this year without you,
I’ve never felt you closer.

Ride easy up there.
I’m doing okay down here.

With love always,
Your kid 🤍