Russell Steven Dutson's Obituary
Russell Steven Dutson, of Orem, age 67, died peacefully on Saturday, December 2, 2017, at Utah Valley Hospital in Provo, Utah. He is survived by his wife of 19 years, Sherrie; his children Traci (Jason; children Riley, Krina) Johnston, Charla (Ira; Ryan and Danae) Wiebe, Rachelle (Bob; Kayla, Darian, Chelsea) Reimer, Bobby (Anastashia; Michael, Sierra, Jonathan, Benjamin) Hendrick, Laura Dutson (daughter, Lyla Rose), and Sara Oliva (daughter, Brooklynn); brothers Dave (Sharri) and Duane (Pam) and their families, Sherrie’s family and many close friends. He was predeceased by his father, Parley, in 1997 and his mother, Emma, in August 2017.
Russ was born in Logan, Utah on July 10, 1950, to his parents Parley Van Leuven Dutson and Emma Amelia (Hunter). As a youngster, Russ was part of the ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) and served as his company’s Executive Officer (XO) in his senior year of high school. He graduated from Logan High School in 1968. He went on to complete his Bachelor of Science in Personnel, Industrial Relations at Utah State University in 1974 in Logan, Utah.
In 1969-71, Russ went on LDS mission to Manitoba/Minnesota, serving in cities such as Winnipeg, Manitoba and Grand Forks, North Dakota.
It was while on mission that he met Rita Loewen and they were married in Logan, Utah on December 27, 1972. Together, they had three girls, Traci, Charla and Rachelle. After a divorce in 1988, Russ married Sandy in July 1988 and considered Tara and Bobby his kids while later adopting Laura. After a divorce, Russ married Sherrie on May 29, 1998 and one year later they were sealed in the Timpanogos Temple. Russ called Sara his daughter as well and Sara was later sealed to Russ and Sherrie.
Russ enjoyed several career changes in Burley and Twin Falls, Idaho as well as in Logan, Spanish Fork, Linden and Orem, Utah. He started where so many young boys do, by having a newspaper route delivering the Deseret News in Logan. Later he worked at a diner, drove an ice cream truck, managed a tire store, worked in sales and then in the computer and technology field. For a while, he owned his own business, Ricon Computers. Teaching was a lot of fun for Russ and he taught computer courses at Provo College and once, had an opportunity to go to the Philippines to teach computers as well. Russ loved to regale people with his stories of practical jokes and daily experiences of those with whom he worked.
In the LDS church, Russ became a high priest and was often called upon to teach the high priest, or Melchizedek, group. Being on the committee to plan ward activities was right up Russ’s alley as well. He loved to socialize and planned Dutch oven cooking events, scavenger hunts and game nights.
Some hobbies Russ enjoyed over the years included making model cars from kits when he was still in early high school. One could not be sure whether he liked putting the cars together or whether it was the blowing them up with various sized firecrackers once he tired of them that was the real hobby. He enjoyed tinkering on cars as well as being an amateur ham radio operator.
Many weekends, Russ would take the family on scenic drives, or “ding trips,” as he called them, to see the sites, go hiking or enjoy a picnic. There was always a new adventure to see the Shoshone or Twin Falls or hike up to see the hermit’s cave. Sometimes we tried to find a new spot someone told us about, like the Devil’s Cauldron that was supposed to be a 30 minute hike but ended up being a couple hours. Boy, that Countrytime Lemonade sure tasted good afterwards!
Then there were the band concerts in the city park every Thursday evening and afterwards we begged Dad to stop at Dairy Queen for dipped ice cream cones and then we waited quietly and anxiously for the critical moment to see if Dad would make the correct turn to Dairy Queen or home.
About 1990, Russ, living in the land-locked Wasatch Valley, earned his open-water scuba diving certificate. In later years, Russ enjoyed his dogs and took pleasure in teaching them to do tricks.
It was a shock to family when Russ was admitted into ICU and pancreatic cancer was found. He fought valiantly for a week until he said he was ready to go home to his Father in heaven. With heavy and loving hearts, his family stood around him and released him.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, December 7 at 9:00am at the Orchard 4th Ward LDS church at 670 E 800 N, Orem, Utah. Cremation will take place afterwards with Premier Funeral Services. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Sherrie Dutson to help with expenses.
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