Frederick Weston Utter
June 24, 1937 ~ November 11, 2001
Resided in:
Swannanoa, NC
Mr. Utter was born in South New Berlin, NY, and was a son of the late Kern Utter and Olive Anna Grover Utter Perkins. He was also preceded in death by a grandson, Noah Perkins Utter.
He served in the US Army in the early 1960’s and was a former resident of Florida before moving to Buncombe County where he lived most of his adult life. He worked as a genetic engineer for Biltmore Dairy Farms for 13 years and at the time of his death he was Animal Curator for the Buncombe County Nature Center where he worked for 20 years.
He was considered to be an expert on the American Red Devon Cattle Breed and maintained a herd of that breed in Greeneville, TN. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Minor Breeds Conservancy for 11 years and on the Board of Directors of the Biltmore Little League from 1971 - 1980. He was instrumental in saving the red wolf and its release into the wild.
He is survived by his wife, Sandra Lunsford Utter; two sons, Bruce Niles Utter and his wife Tobie of Siler City, and Everett Weston Utter and his wife Wendy, currently stationed at Port Hueneme, CA; one daughter, Emily Utter of Virginia Beach, VA; one step-daughter, Gentle Gennett of Asheville; one step-son, Chapel Gennett of Washington, DC; seven grandchildren, Sadie Christine Utter, Parker McSwain Utter, Jessica Renee Utter, Erin Elizabeth Utter, Anna Michelle Utter, Chelsea Wesphall, and Cody Wesphall; four sisters, Elma Walling of South New Berlin, NY, Karen Colvin of Cullowhee, Lorraine Register of Orange City, FL, and Linda McLintock of Jacksonville, FL; one brother, Dale Utter of Roebuck, SC; and a number of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at 2:00 pm Thursday at Piney Grove Baptist Church, Marshall, with the Rev. Bill Gillespie officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
His family will receive friends from 7 - 9 pm Wednesday at Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue.
Memorials may be made to Friends of the Nature Center, 75 Gashes Creek Road, Asheville, NC 28805, or to the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy, PO Box 477, Pittsboro, NC 27312.
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We are so sorry to learn of the death of Weston Utter. He was a good and dear Friend during our years with the South Asheville Little League. He took great pride in working with the boys. He always had a smile and handshake during these years and anytime after that we would see him. We enjoyed many visits to his home. To Sandra, Emily, Bruce and Everett we wish to express our sincere sympathy. We have any good and dear memories of Mr. Utter.
Love Doug and Billie Clemmons.
What a remarkable man. What an inspiration to ua all. Although Weston’s job was working with animals, his true gift to the world was and still is the way he dealt with people. His sense of fairness and especially his sense of humor made every person he came in contact with feel special. Just spending a few moments with Weston was the best therapy anyone could receive. I have always been able to and will continue to close my eyes, think of Weston, smile, and have my trivial problems melt away. What a true gift he has given to the people fortunate enough to have known him!
There are very few people who have truly lived life. Weston was one of them.
Dave & Kathy Knox
As a relative newcomer (under two years) to the Nature Center as a volunteer, I nevertheless considered myself a good friend and associate of this most wonderful man. He was kind, helpful, and excellent with children and the public in general. He always had a good word and a smile to share. We have truly lost a most wonderful friend; the animals have lost a strong advocate; and the Nature Center has lost a devoted leader and guide. My condolences to his family All of us who had the pleasure to know him, some like me for only a short time, will miss Weston; there is no one who can take his place.
Angela Baisley
We have many fond memories of Fred! As a child Fred was always the mailman for our family. He would deliver our mail when he went to the Alta Vista Dairy each day. As an adult each year I take my kindergarten class to the Nature Center. I would always make sure we saw Fred before we left. Our heart is full of sympathy for his family. I know I will never forget the many memories I have of such a kind man.
Gary and Anne(Henderson) Motley
I enjoyed working with Weston when I served on the Board of the Friends of the Nature Center. His dedication to the animals at the center was truly an inspiration. Weston will be greatly missed.
I want to express my deepest sympathy to the Utter Family.I went to school with Everett. Weston was a wonderful supporter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and will be sorley missed. God Bless
Weston was a familiar and kind face at the Nature Center,my kids and I always loved talking to him,I also volunteered for a short time at the Center a few years ago and was always touched by his love for the animals, We will miss him dearly and share in your grief, Sincerely, Sharon Kerber
Weston always had a smile on his face. Whenever we would talk, he shared his deep love and affection for all the animals at the Nature Center. I shall miss you Weston, but will always think of your smile whenever I go by the barn.
Thank you and am sure the animals will in their own way miss you as well.
John G.
Weston, your help and interest in our work with you at the WNC Nature Center will always be remembered. It will be instrumental in guiding us in Animal care and Management. You will be missed. Farewell
I first met Weston when I worked at Bartlett Milling. He would come over and get things for the Nature Center. He was a wonderful person. He would kid around some and talk some. He was always kind hearted.
Please accepted my condolences at this time. I know Weston will be missed by all who knew him.
I would like to send my deepest thoughts and prayers to the Utter family. I went to school with Bruce and spent many weekends at the Utter home on the Biltmore Estate. Mr. Utter was a very kind and gracious host each time I was there and I know very well his support of his sons’ in their younger years at South Asheville Little League. May God bless you all and show His amazing grace and comfort during this time of loss.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family. In the years that I had the opportunity to interact with Weston via the sheep and goats at the Nature Center, I came to know him as a friend to WNC and a strong supporter to the world of animals. We shall all miss him.
My thoughts and prayers are with Sandy and Weston’s family. Weston taught me so many things about animals and the Nature Center. I loved going to volunteer when I knew Weston would be there. He always made me laugh when I worked. I am very glad Weston was a part of my life and I will miss him terribly.