Our loving and cherished husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, hero, farmer, cowboy, and friend, Carl Smith Dutson, passed from this earthly plain on Thursday, March 31, 2022 surrounded by his family at his home in Hinckley, Utah. Born July 12, 1931 in Wapello, Idaho to Lorin Fay Dutson and Rosa Ree Blake Dutson. He is the third of five sons. Carl married his heart’s desire, Valynn Ellen Draper, on September 9, 1955 in the Manti, Utah Temple. They had 8 children, who were the most important things in their world.
Carl was a quiet selfless man. He cared more about other people than about things. A generous man who would give the shirt off his back if someone needed it and was loving and accepting of all. While quiet and humble he was stronger than life and proved to have more lives than several cats, surviving through many impossibly difficult odds over the years. Always had a can-do attitude and you would never catch him giving up. Always working to improve himself. Even while his body was physically declining, he would do whatever exercises he could to help improve his strength and fight to heal and be stronger. He was a tall, strong, and humbly wise man with no need to prove anything to anyone. Firm in his convictions. Adored his wife and did anything to make her happy. Ferociously protective of all of his family and he loved the Lord and had a solid testimony of the gospel and the Lord’s love for each of us.
Carl loved to spend time on the West Desert. When he was young, he would frequently ride his horse out to the hills just because he could or to chase wild horses. Almost all family vacations were spent camping in one of many of his favorite places across the west desert. There was no hill, ravine, or valley that he was not familiar with or that he didn’t love and have a story about. He had a passion for catching and training wild horses that turned into a love for calf roping. Spent many of his younger years participating in rodeos throughout Utah. As he aged, he could frequently be found watching rodeo events and providing his personal commentary for his family.
Over the years he has worked many jobs. As a young man he worked for other farmers. Before he owned his own farms, he rented farms to ensure he had feed for his roping calves. He cared about the people he served while working for the CO-OP, delivering gas across the desert, and valued the many friendships he made. While he had many skills, his heart was always that of a farmer and he was never happier than when he was able to leave the world of being employed by others and became a self-employed farmer. He truly loved to tend and cultivate the land and raise crops. He has spent many joy filled hours working on, talking about, and dreaming about farming. Even as he came closer to passing from this life a lot of his last conversations were about his farm and how to tend the soil or what to plant. The best thing that he raised on those farms was his family.
Carl is survived by his eternal companion: Valynn Draper Dutson of Hinckley, Utah; his children: Cathy (David) Feltch of Dutch John, Utah; James (Misty) Dutson of Hinckley, Utah; Barbara (Wayne) Leaders of Parker, Colorado; Jo Ann (Rodney) Carter of Grantsville, Utah; Sheri (Allen) Bate of Kanab, Utah; and Christy (Shane) Finlinson of Hinckley, Utah; 18 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren; his brothers: Floyd (Colleen) Dutson, and Doyle (Sue) Dutson both of Hinckley, Utah; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Clark R. (Audrey) Draper of North Ogden; Vee Ann Feidrich of Spanish Fork; Dean (Monique) Draper of Scipio; Jeannie (Rand) Maxwell of Spanish Fork; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; his twin older brothers: Fay Dutson and Ray Dutson; two sons: John Scott and Peter; brother-in-law and sisters-in-law: William Feidrich, Susan B. Dutson, Julie Draper; and four great grandchildren.
Funeral Services: Monday, April 4, at 11:00 am, at the Hinckley LDS Chapel, 188 N Main Street. Viewing: 9:30-10:40 am, prior to the service. Friends unable to attend in person are invited to view the recorded video of the Service. The link will be posted with his obituary at www.nicklemortuary.com by Monday afternoon. Burial in Hinckley Cemetery.