John Francis Willcutts

Obituary For John Francis Willcutts

John Francis Willcutts, beloved son, father, brother, and friend, passed away on April 8, 2025, at the age of 62. He leaves behind a legacy of love, curiosity to learn, and most of all, three amazing kids and 4 grandchildren.

Born on June 29, 1962, in Corpus Christi, Texas, John was the sixth of eight children born to Morton Douglas Willcutts and Alice Jane Millett. He was raised in Galesburg, Illinois, where he excelled academically and athletically. As a young man, John played varsity tennis, ran as the fastest member of the cross-country squad, and enjoyed his time on the debate team.

John pursued higher education, first at Rice University in Houston, Texas, and later at the University of Florida in Gainesville, where he earned a degree in Electrical Engineering and a master’s degree in Agricultural Engineering, graduating Summa cum laude. It was in Gainesville, in a small church, that John met Catherine Clare Kinnan, the love of his life. They quietly eloped and began a life together.

John and Cathy welcomed three children: Chasah Jobi Willcutts in the spring of 1988, Joshua Joseph Willcutts in the winter of 1989, and Rebecca Ruth Willcutts in the fall of 1991. Though life led John and Cathy down separate paths, throughout the years, he often visited his children, enjoyed spending time with them, whether on long drives jamming to his favorite music and listening to mystery podcasts, spontaneous picnics, strolls through gardens, or creating imaginative Christmases filled with gifts from the legendary “Galactic Raiders.”

John was a man who loved the earth deeply. He had a reverence for plants, the environment, and animals—especially his cherished cats. Music was another great passion; he was rarely without his twelve-string guitar, often playing on street corners as if performing on a grand stage. His sense of humor was pure and childlike, and he had the funniest, explosive laugh, always ready with a joke or a prank. Like the time as a young child, he made the local paper for swiping an affluent neighbor’s tree, just so everyone could enjoy Christmas with a tree.

His legacy lives on in his children: Chasah, who carries on his love of gardening; Joshua, a musician in Nashville who inherited John’s love for music; and Rebecca, whose passion for knowledge led her to a successful career in technology sales.

In recent years, one of John’s most meaningful projects was the creation of a home garden in honor of his late mother—a final act of love and tribute. In accordance with his wishes, John's final resting place will be beneath his chestnut trees, surrounded by nature and beauty he so dearly cherished.

John is survived by his father, Morton Willcutts; his seven siblings: Kathleen, Michael, Thomas, Brian, Sharon, Kevin, and Maureen; his three children: Chasah and her husband Brian, along with their son Sean; Joshua; and Rebecca and her husband Brian, with their children Emily, and twins Aiden and Jackson.

He will be deeply missed and always remembered.

Details regarding his Celebration of Life will be shared at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in his memory to one of the following: Greta Thunberg Foundation, University of Georgia State Botanical Gardens, or to have a tree planted in his honor."

The staff of Central Cremation Services is honored to be selected to provide end-of-life services.