Bret Ray Hutchings

Bret Ray Hutchings passed away on March 10th, 2023, at his home after a long, valiant, battle with cancer. He was born November 15, 1958, in Lehi, Utah to Harold and Marie Hutchings.

Bret grew up in Lehi and worked at Hutch’s TV & Appliance with his mom and dad. He also spent a lot of time with his grandfather at the John Hutchings Museum. He was very active in the scouting program and was proud to achieve the rank of an Eagle Scout.

Bret served in the Norway, Oslo mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1978-1980, where he loved the people, culture, and language. He went back thirty years later and was still able to speak Norwegian fluently.

Bret joined the Utah National Guard between his junior and senior year in high school. While on his mission he decided to attend the military officer’s candidate school (OCS). He graduated from OCS in 1982 and was commissioned as an officer. He served in several Combat Engineer units including Springville, Lehi, American Fork and Tooele. He was the S1 Officer when the 1457th was activated to support Desert Storm. He retired while serving at Utah National Guard State headquarters after 22 years of service with the rank of Major.

Bret followed in his father’s footsteps and worked at Lehi Fire Department. He was a firefighter, EMT, Investigator, and Assistant Fire Chief during his 32 years of service with the Lehi Fire Department. He loved being a firefighter and considered it one of his greatest joys and thought of the whole department as his extended family. In April of 2022, he was honored to be awarded the Lehi Fire Department Heritage Award.

Bret met his sweetheart Janys in January of 1981, and immediately knew that she was the one he wanted to spend forever with. They were married and sealed in the Salt Lake City Temple on August 28, 1981. They are the proud parents of four children: Erika Woodruff (David), Travis Hutchings (Jessie), Trent Hutchings, and Leslie Hutchings; and four grandsons. Bret and Janys loved to travel with their family and explore new places. Their motto was “work hard as a family and play hard as a family.”

Bret took over the family business — Hutch’s TV & Appliances in 1980 — after his return from Norway. He loved working with people and helping them find the right products to improve their lives. He enjoyed meeting new people and became instant friends with everyone he met. There are many times he’d strike up a conversation with strangers and leave with dinner plans. Bret served on the Whirlpool National Service Board and the BrandSource Rocky Mountain Region Board for several years. Bret loved serving his community, traveling the world, watching TV, building and working with wood and gardening. He loved playing hide-and-seek, backgammon, Lincoln logs, and with his trains with his children and grandchildren.

Bret is survived by his loving wife Janys, children and grandchildren, his loyal Dalmatian, Major and many grand-dogs. His sisters, Galynn, Kathleen (Alan), and Esther (Kent), his brother Jim (Karla), as well as many wonderful nieces and nephews. He was greeted on the other side by his father, mother, brother Bill, father and mother-in-Law Arthur and Leah Critchfield as well as several pets he loved throughout his life.

A viewing will be held March Friday 17th at 6:00 PM ­ 8:00 PM at Wing’s Mortuary 118 East Main Street Lehi, UT 84043.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday March 18th at 12:00 PM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 200 N Center Street, Lehi, Utah. 84043, with a viewing before from 10:30 AM ­ 11:30 AM at the church. Online guest book at wingmortuary.com.