Alex Jonathan Utley

Alex Jonathan Utley, 20, passed away from an accidental overdose on June 19 in Midvale, Utah. He was born on January 23, 1998 in Pleasanton, California to Jon Utley and Sara Strachan. Alex spent his childhood in California, Tennessee, Germany, and Utah. Even as a very young boy, he could talk to adults with intelligence, ease, and wit, and frequently had a whole roomful of people laughing. His energy, enthusiasm, and perpetual joy were contagious. Over the course of his childhood, he was passionate about dinosaurs, Star Wars, Lego, castles and knights, and reading. He tried a number of sports, including baseball, basketball, hockey, fencing, and soccer. He loved long summer days swimming at Cherry Hill with his sisters and cousins, or having lightsaber and AirSoft wars with his neighborhood friends. Alex's accomplishments included traveling to Chicago with the Farmington Jr. High Symphonic Band for the Midwest Bands Clinic, where they won the Sudler Cup, and going to Trinidad and Tobego with Habitat for Humanity to help build a home for a family in need. As a teenager and young adult, Alex experienced some darker times. He became deeply philosophical, and turned to music, books, and drugs in his search for meaning. Amid those difficult years, he remained personable--a loyal friend and affectionate son and brother--and had a unique ability to blend intellectual intensity with a bright and cheerful calm. He loved to listen to podcasts and debate politics or philosophy, and admired thinkers, writers, and comics like Philip K. Dick, Carl Sagan, Terence McKenna, and Joe Rogan. Alex hoped to become a stand-up comedian, and frequently brought laughter to those who knew him. Alex is survived by his parents, Jon (Andrea) Utley and Sara (Cliff) Strachan, and his siblings, Alyssa (Cameron) Quinn, Kate Utley, JT Utley, Piper Utley, Carson (Elizabeth) Strachan, Sidney Strachan, and Liam Strachan, along with many grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his uncle, Brian Utley. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 23 at the LDS chapel at 4881 Cindy Lane, South Jordan, Utah with a viewing preceding at 10:00 a.m. A graveside service will be held for the family on Monday, June 25. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Humane Society of Utah (https://www.utahhumane.org).

Alex Jonathan Utley

January 23, 1998 - June 19, 2018