James H. McCUTCHAN, 83, of Wellsville, NY, died Sunday, March 24, 2024 in his home.

Born May 28, 1940, in Nogales, AZ, he was the son of Verne C. and Virginia Reese McCutchan. 

A graduate of Miami High School, Miami, AZ, he attended Scottsdale Community College, Scottsdale, AZ, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, and the University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, where he graduated on June 1, 1968 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.  In 1986, he earned a professional degree, Certified Public Manager (CPM).  

Jim was a member of McCutchen Trace Association, Celle Association, Towne Family Association, Steuben County Historical Society, BPOE Miami Lodge #1410, charter member of Pinal Mountain Lodge #2809, charter member of Globe-Miami Lodge #489, and the Society of Mining, Metallurgy & Mining Exploration. 

He was a founding member and first Vice-Chairman of the Arizona Chapter of CPM, original member of National Certified Public Manager Consortium (NCPMC), member of Sigma Phi fraternity, Phi Theta Kappa Society, AIME (Pinal Mountain Section), American Industrial Hygiene Association (Arizona Section), American Red Cross, Arizona Administrators Association, National Safety Council (Arizona Chapter), Arizona Emergency Response Association, Arizona Safety Association, Arizona Search and Rescue Association, Arizona State Community College (Arizona Mine Supervisory Curriculum Committee), Holmes Safety Association, Mine Inspector’s Institute of America, National Association of State Mine Inspection Agencies, Southwest Safety Congress and Exposition, Colorado Mining Association, and the University of Arizona Alumni Association.  

He worked for the U. S. Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), Division of Mining Information Systems, Safety and Health Technology Center, Denver, CO (1993-2001) when he retired.  He spent over 40 years working in the mining industry, mainly involved in Safety and Health.  He, with the help of a du Pont Vice President, developed a Cyanide Health and Safety program for mining that became the standard for miner Health and Safety World-Wide and has been credited with actually saving lives.  He co-edited with the American Red Cross an Introduction to AIDS book in 1986.  He edited a 22 volume set of books on Mine Rescue for small and isolated mines.

He is survived by his children: Cynthia, Laura, Michael, Mark, David, and Angela; his step-children, Toni (Pat Boucher) Johnson of Bleecker, NY, Mark Brown of Big Lake, AK, Gregg Brown of Poway, CA, Kurt (Sue) of Olympia, WA, and Joel (Wendy Jendro) Brown of Evergreen, CO; and a brother, Robert (Carol) McCutchan of Dewey, AZ.  He is predeceased by his wife, Alice, and his parents. 

Cremation was at OLNEY-FOUST Private Crematory.  A memorial service will be held on a later date in Gloversville, NY, where he will be laid to rest beside the love of his life, Alice.  Arrangements are under the direction of Olney-Foust Funeral Homes & Cremation, Crowell Chapel, 296 North Main Street, Wellsville, NY.  Online condolences may be expressed at www.wellsvillefuneralhome.com.