David Wayne Cutchen was born on October 22, 1942, to Parley and Gertrude Cutchen in Douglas, Arizona. Dave was raised mostly in Red Bluff, California before serving as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Southern States Mission, where he would serve honorably. Dave returned and attended Utah State University in Logan, Utah, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Forestry and met and fell in love with Carolyn Harper. They were married and sealed in the Salt Lake City Temple on September 10, 1965. Dave and Carolyn began a career with the U.S. Forest Service and would have seven children while living in various cities throughout Utah, New Mexico, Wyoming and finally settling in Flagstaff, Arizona. In addition to a successful career in the U.S. Forest Service, Dave would go on to own his own successful fiberglass repair business. In their later years, Dave and Carolyn served as full-time missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand. Dave was a loving father and husband who always put family first in his life. He was a scholar who constantly studied the Gospel of Jesus Christ and World War II history. He also loved buying (and occasionally building) model airplanes and reading all manner of books in his wooden rocking chair. Dave also served in many Church callings, to include Bishop on two occasions, as a High Councilman and a Branch President. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn, his six children, Heather Brown, Seth Cutchen, Rachel Batt, Daniel Cutchen, Mark Cutchen, Rebecca Greer, seventeen grandchildren and three great grandchildren. He was also reunited with his daughter, Kimberly, who has been patiently waiting in Heaven.
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, March 30, 2024 at 2:00 PM at the Kanab 2nd Ward Chapel, 604 South HWY 89A. There will be a viewing from 1:00 – 1:50 PM prior to the funeral. Burial will be in the Kanab City Cemetery.
You are invited to watch the livestream of the services through the link below.
Link to be posted soon.
Dear Heather. So sorry to hear. Your folks were on our temple shift when the temple opened and we dearly loved them. What a choice couple. Blessings of comfort to you and your dear mother and the Cutchen family💕. You and your dear husband have really had some sorrows this week. May you feel Heavenly Fathers arms around you💕💕💕
David was the brother every sister wishes she had. I was blessed to have him as one of mine. I remember him being involved in scouting. One time he and a couple of friends were building a strange wooden contraption in the front yard. I asked what it was and was told it was a dinosaur trap. I nearly believed them. It was a big deal when he was chosen to attend the Boy Scout Jamboree in Valley Forge PA. My folks were so proud. I always looked up to him, He could do anything.
Thanks Aunt Wanda! I had never heard that story before. He loves you dearly.
We loved your family so much while you lived in Flagstaff. We looked up David and Carolyn as we navigated our first years of marriage and parenthood. They were so fun to be around. May God bless and comfort you.
George and Hazel Maben
Cutchen family, we were so saddened to hear about the passing of this great man. We are grateful for him as our bishop and his love and support over the years. May God bless and sustain you in your loss. Jace and Melinda Nelson.
Sotty for your loss. So many great memories with the Cutchens in Flagstaff. Carolyn, love you so much!
Our love and hugs to Carolyn and Family. Dave was a wonderful person.
Brother Cutchen you are a blessing in my life.
Carolyn was my roommate at USU. Dave was a dear friend. Loved his laugh, smile, humor! He was and will always be a memory of special importance in my life.
Dave, your Forest Service friends from Flagstaff remember you and appreciate you. Thank you for everything. RIP good man.
Audrey and I loved Dave and spent many hours with him at work and in Church. He was a bright light in our lives. His warmth and sense of humor stand out. We will look forward to seeing him by and by.
We have so many warm memories of Dave, Carolyn, and kids. He had an adorable sense of humor. And a remarkable vocabulary! Carolyn, we are so grateful for your friendship, examples, and kindness when we were just starting to raise our children. We think of you often, and pray that you have fond memories to share with your beautiful family as you bid Dave farewell, for a time.
To Dave’s Family, News of Dave’s passing was shared on the Northern Arizona Forest Service Retirees email list. Here are a few responses I thought you’d appreciate.
From Bill Stafford, retired Coconino NF: I worked with Dave a lot. He was Rec and Lands Staff on the Sandia RD of the Cibola in the ’60s, Rec and Lands Staff on the Magdalena RD in the 70’s, Eldon RD Rec and Lands Staff on the Coc. in the ’80’s and Rec and Lands Asst on the Coc in the 90’s. He was a graduate of Utah State School of Forestry and a Crew Rep who was constantly out with a SWFF crew. A fine gentleman who was very active in the LDS Church. I really enjoyed working with Dave off and on for almost 40 yrs. He was a gentleman, always had a smile and he knew the outfit better than almost anyone!!
From Art Matthias, retired off the Coconino NF: Dave worked on Elden Ranger District as Rec and Lands staff when I was there as District Ranger, mostly working in the lands and minerals arena. He sometimes didn’t give the appearance of working hard because he knew the game so well and he was so efficient. He worked very well with groups, such as the electronics users on Mnt Elden. And he could be innovative. He saw the need and implemented a process for a commercial pit operation that generated significant royalties for the government with minimal impact on the land. Dave was one of the “soldiers” who were the backbone of the organization who worried not much about getting recognition for their efforts.
From Max Reid, former Coconino NF: Good tribute Art… I agree 100%… we have lost a good one. The group grows smaller…
From Frank Carroll, former Coconino NF: Dave was a wonderful humble man who was a loyal friend and strong and personal and professional mentor at work and Church. As my Bishop, he shared things with me that few others knew. We fought fire together as Crew Liason Officers in Washington State (Elk North Fire), remained friends through the years. I will miss that very good man. Thank you, Dave. See you by and by.