Brian Dennis Utley

Our son, father, brother, cousin, uncle and friend, who we love so much, left the bounds of this earth on April 20, 2018 in Bountiful, Utah. Brian Dennis Utley was born on July 30, 1974 in Boise, Idaho to Dennis Thad and Mary Sue Utley, and became the baby of the family to four older siblings. Brian moved to Farmington, Utah when he was five years old and largely grew up there. He had a great love for the game of baseball and spent much of his growing years playing in his backyard, in little league, for Davis High School, and later in city leagues. Will Clark was a personal hero of his and we imagine that in his best dreams he played alongside him for the SF Giants.

Brian graduated from Davis High School in Kaysville, Utah in 1992 and later earned an associates degree from Southern Utah University and a bachelor’s degree in computer technology from the University of Phoenix. He had a brilliant, inquisitive mind; was an insatiable reader; and never stopped learning. He enjoyed many interests and became extraordinarily talented in whatever he pursued including photography, golf, chess, and star-gazing with his telescopes. Brian could name everything in the heavens. He was the funniest person you knew, with a ready wit, and had a humor about life that seemed in equal proportion to the depression that he fought valiantly to conquer. In recent years he had become an avid mountain climber, finding solace in his forward steps and accomplishment in conquering numerous peaks and photographing soaring vistas. He shared these adventures through social media and had attracted thousands of followers as well as corporate sponsors.

A lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Brian lived a Christlike example of unconditional love for people. To be with Brian was to know he genuinely cared about you. Brian loved the Book of Mormon and read it cover to cover no less than six times before he was called as a missionary to the Chicago Illinois Mission in 1993. Throughout his life he read it many times more to draw strength from it’s pages. Brian’s other personal hero was Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, whom Brian chose as a write in candidate in the most recent presidential election.

Brian married Shannon Berryessa on May 30, 1998 in the Timpanogos LDS Temple. They were later divorced but remained friends to the end. Brian married Senja Shunk on December 3, 2003, later solemnized in the Bountiful LDS Temple. They later divorced. Through this marriage Brian became an instant father to Skylerr, and brought three children into the world, Juliana, Luke, and Chase. Brian’s greatest joys were his beautiful and amazing children and his love for them, and their love in return sustained him through many difficulties.
 

He is survived by his children, his parents, Dennis T. and Mary Sue Utley, Bountiful, His siblings; Debra (Scott) Stephenson of Orem, UT, Barbie (James) McConnell of Lakepoint, UT, JoAnn (David) Clonts of Erda, UT, and Jon (Andrea) Utley of South Jordan, Utah, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by both sets of grandparents and we draw comfort from knowing he is in their loving embrace.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 28, at 11:00 am, with a viewing preceding from 9:45-10:45 am at the Mueller Park Stake Center, 1800 East Mueller Park Rd, Bountiful UT. There will also be a viewing Friday, April 27, from 6-8 pm at Russon Mortuary, 295 N. Main St, Bountiful, UT.

We love and miss you Brian. You are gone on a longer hike but we will meet you at the top. Can’t wait to see the view.