Thomas Alfred Cutting, Jr., died January 21, 2015 at VCU Medical Center in Richmond, Va.
He is survived by Judith Harris Cutting, beloved wife of 56 years; children, Heather Kathleen Cutting of Dallas, Texas and Samuel Thomas Cutting and wife, Lisa of Madison, Wis.; beloved sister, Sally Gean of Fort Smith, Arkansas; and five grandchildren, Henry, Charles, Kathleen, Andrew and Neil.
He was born January 6, 1937 and raised in Fort Smith, Arkansas, son of the late Mildred and Tom Cutting. Tom graduated from Davidson College (1959), obtained a Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary (1963), a Doctor of Religion degree from Chicago Theological Seminary (1969), and was named a Merrill Fellow at Harvard Divinity School (1981).
Over 40 years he served congregations as pastor in the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. in Charlotte, N.C., Austin, Texas and at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church in Richmond, Va. (1991 to 1995). In addition, his ministry included Executive Director of San Antonio Urban Council, Assistant Professor of Ministry and Director of Students-In-Ministry program at Union Presbyterian Seminary. Honorably retired by the Presbytery of the James in 1997, he subsequently served as interim pastor in churches in Virginia, North Carolina, Wisconsin and in Chicago.
Later in his ministry, he was honored to serve as interim pastor to the church of his youth in Arkansas. Tom was a devoted husband, parent, grandfather and a beloved friend to many. Tom nurtured a keen interest in urban and political studies, history and reading.
An avid sports fan, he was a loyal follower of the Arkansas Razorbacks, St. Louis Cardinals and Davidson College athletics. A former athlete, he was highly disciplined in health and exercise and typically walked up to eight miles a day through the streets of Richmond, where he was known by some as ‘The Walking Man.’ Tom was graced with abundant opportunities and experience, enabling him to share a faith, which upheld him in life and into death.
A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, February 7 at Second Presbyterian Church. Memorial contributions may be made to Second Presbyterian Church, 5 North 5th St., Richmond, Va. 23219 or to Davidson Trust of Davidson College, Box 7174, Davidson, N.C. 28035.