Photos submitted to Times Observer The “whole family,” said stepdaughter Monica, with parents Sheryl and the late “Butch” Hulings, middle.

Butch Hulings loved spending time with his family.

“He had five grandkids that he took camping every year,” said stepdaughter Monica Morgan. “They would go fishing, on hikes, and he taught them all about nature, like trees, animal tracks, and cooking over an open fire. He would also tell them ghost stories that they loved, and hearing stories about when they were little. He was definitely an outdoorsman.

“My dad was a logger for most of his life, and an avid fisherman and hunter,” said Monica. “He loved this community (of Tidioute), and he and my mom, Sheryl, raised six kids together. We were sort of the Brady bunch… My mom had three daughters, and he had two sons when they got together, and they had a son together, so we ended up with three boys and three girls in our joined family. My mom was a nurse, and my dad a self-employed logger for many years. He became ill with prostate cancer, and it had spread to lung cancer before we were aware of any cancer. He was scheduled for surgery, but once we arrived at the hospital, they told us that the cancer was too far along, and there was nothing else they could do. He went on Hospice care shortly after that. My mom took time off of work and was his caregiver for the last couple of months of his life. We wanted to do something special to honor him, and since he was a tradesman himself, we want to give others help in pursuing their dreams of learning a trade.”

George “Butch” W.Hulings, Jr. passed away on Feb. 13, 2016, at 68 years of age. His family has been thinking of a way to honor him, and the Butch Hulings Memorial Scholarship Fund is what they came up with — as a way to do something they know he would have wanted.

“The scholarship is because my dad was a tradesman and we want to provide that same opportunity to others,” said Monica. “I have been contemplating this scholarship for three years since he passed away because I wanted to honor him in a way that would be meaningful and help others. I spoke with my mom about it, and she was on board, so I then asked my siblings, and they were on board, as well. So, here we are.

“Trade/technical is the key because there are so many scholarships directed at four-year schools, and based off of good grades, sports participation, and honors. We want to provide this to those who may not be seeking a four-year degree, who may not have the best grades, but are trying, and may not have had the means to participate in extracurricular (activities).”

The family has started a gofundme page under “Butch” Hulings Memorial Scholarship and has also planned fundraisers like a yard sale for example. Information is available at the “Butch Hulings Memorial Scholarship Fund” Facebook page. A scholarship would be offered to graduating seniors at Tidioute Community Charter School pursuing an opportunity at a trade or technical school.

Helping the youth of Tidioute seems about right.

“He was stern as we were growing up, and butted heads with us kids more than a few times,” said Monica, “but, as adults with our own kids, we can appreciate that now. He was also kind and worked very hard to provide for us and to make sure we had what we needed. He was hardworking, patriotic, and liked to laugh and have fun. He was a prankster and loved scaring my mom with spiders.

“My mom’s name is Sheryl,” said Monica. “They were married April 24, 1993, but they were together since 1978. My siblings are Jessica Toomey, Tarica Albaugh, Travis Hulings, George Hulings, and Nathan Hulings.

“He was an absolutely amazing man! He’d literally do anything for anyone,” she said. “He was my stepfather. Yes, he and my mom were still married when he passed. She is still living, and very much involved with his scholarship. Everyone knew him. He was a lifetime member of the vets club after serving 14 years in the Navy as an operations specialist. He did two tours in Vietnam. He also worked construction for many years. He loved spending time with his kids and grandkids.

“He didn’t talk much about his military experience because I don’t think he wanted us to know the horrible parts of it,” said Monica. “But I believe it molded him in many good ways such as dedication, discipline, honor, and compassion.”

Those ways were passed on to his children and grandchildren, who are now passing it on in their father’s memory.