Noel Douglass Cutler, aged 70, passed away on October 25, 2020 after a prolonged illness.

Noel (known to many as “Doug”) was born on December 23, 1949 in Salt Lake City, Utah.  He was the first child of Douglass Earl Cutler and Mary Jane Blackwelder.  He grew up in the Avenues neighborhood in Salt Lake City, attending Lafayette Elementary School, Horace Mann Junior High, and East High School, where he was a part of the mountaineering club.  He loved to be in the mountains.  After graduating from East High School in 1968, Noel enrolled in classes at the University of Utah.  He was converted to and joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1969 and met LaRie Holt at a Family Home Evening for single adults.  They married on September 10, 1970 and were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple in 1971.  Together, they were the parents of five children.  He was a dedicated father.  The family shares fond childhood memories of playing with Dad, his incredible Jean Valjean-like physical strength, getting rides to early morning seminary and school, visiting family, and seeing the sights near where we lived.  Dad came to concerts and competitions and sporting events.  We children knew he was proud of us, and he inspired us to do great things.

After their first three children were born, he and LaRie embarked on the adventure of moving to Florida, where two more daughters joined the family.  He adored his many Blackwelder aunts, uncles, and cousins there.  Our family holds dear memories of many wonderful family reunions together, before moving back to Utah.  As much as was possible, he never missed a family event like a mission farewell, homecoming, wedding, baby blessing, family reunion, or funeral.  He cherished his family relationships very dearly.  He taught us often about our family tree and the rich heritage we had, and enjoyed reminding us just how it is that we were related to Joseph Smith, George Washington, or William Bradford (to name a few).

Dad worked many jobs throughout his life. He worked for Granite Furniture, then began his career in life insurance, working with New York Life, Life of Georgia, and Beneficial Life. He retired in 2009 and spent many years serving in the Provo, Utah temple.

Noel loved the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  He was very generous and forgiving with others.  Holidays were often shared with others who were alone.  He loved to welcome friends and family members into our home.  He did not have much, but freely shared what he had.

In June of 1980, the Lakeland Florida Area Conference brought President Spencer W. Kimball to town. Dad was honored to be part of the security team for him. The experience he had driving President Kimball and spending time with him was a highlight of his life. He recounted the experience many times, remembering how President Kimball was filled with love and light.

Dad had a great sense of humor and a booming laugh.  He loved to sing and had a beautiful bass voice, and along with Mom, taught us to love music.  He particularly loved the Beatles and the crooners of the Rat Pack.  We treasure our recollection of Dad reading scriptures with us, with his dramatic interpretations of verse.  He was a great reader and had beautiful cursive penmanship. He was a huge fan of classic cars and loved to spend hours thumbing through car magazines. He was also an amateur mechanic and did a lot of work on his own cars over the years.

At 50 years of age, he picked up skiing again which he had abandoned when he began raising a family. He was an ace skier. It was a delight to see him tear up the slopes.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Douglass Earl and Mary Jane (Blackwelder) Cutler and granddaughter Danielle Roshanna Jones.  He is survived by his siblings, Paul Cutler, Phoenix, AZ; Richard Cutler, Salt Lake City, UT; Andrea (Paul) Meidell, Salt Lake City, UT, his former spouse, LaRie, Springville, UT, and his children: David Cutler, Alpine, UT; Catherine (Bobby) Jones, Payson, UT; Christine (Jared) Sturgeon, Colleyville, TX; Bethany Cutler, Orem, UT; and Emily (Carter) Prows, Castle Rock, CO.  He had sixteen grandchildren.

A private funeral service will be held Saturday, October 31, 2020.

The family wishes to sincerely thank those who showed him love, support, and care over the course of his life.  We are grateful for the friendship and kindness you shared with him and his family, and know how very important you were to him.  We grieve at his passing, but are glad his spirit is now with so many whom he loves and who love him.  We carry all the good from his life with us.

“For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” 1 Corinthians 13:12

Arrangements in care of Dalton-Hoopes Funeral Home. Online condolences and memories may be shared at daltonhoopes.com

https://daltonhoopes.com/noel-d-cutler/