Karl Robert Hutchings

The United States Coast Guard regretfully informs of the death of Petty Officer First Class Karl Robert Hutchings, age 32, in the line of duty, stationed in Galveston, Texas, on Wednesday, May 19, 2004.

As a resident of League City, Texas, the next-of-kin and U.S. Coast Guard Services were held May 25 and 26, 2004, at the Forrest Park Funeral Home, Texas.

Petty Officer Hutchings grew up and graduated from high school in Spanish Fork, Utah. He is the son of Gary Robert and E.V. Hutchings of Spanish Fork. After graduation, he joined the U.S. Army Air Borne Infantry as a member of the 19th Special Forces, this during Desert Storm. He transferred to Spanish Forks C Battery, 1/140 Field Artillery, Utah National Guard; then joined the United States Coast Guard serving on the Cutter Morgenthau between Alaska and South America. His next duty was Sea Air Rescue in Alaska, and later, Texas. His final duty was an information technician, part of a team that covered the Western Gulf Coast of the United States, a part of Homeland Security.

He is survived by his son, Kyler Robert Hutchings, age 4, Houston, Texas; his mother and father; a brother, Gary Daniel (Chantel) Hutchings; and nieces, Nichelle and Danielle, of Payson, Utah; a sister, Suzanne Viola (Mark) Brinkerhoff, and nephew, Jordan, and niece, Nicol, of Lehi, Utah; Mary Paulette (John) OHara, and nephew, Sean Michael, of Spanish Fork; and grandparents, Robert A. and Mary Lou Hutchings, of Spanish Fork, who will host a gathering of friends, 270 North 100 West, after graveside honors.

A military viewing will be held Monday, May 31, 2004 from 7-9 p.m., in Spanish Fork at the Walker Family Mortuary. Military interment will be Tuesday, June 1, 2004, at 11 a.m., at the Spanish Fork City Cemetery, conducted by the U.S. Coast Guard Honor Guard, Alexandria, VA, U.S. Air Force Honor Guard, Hill Air Force Base, UT, and members of the Utah National Guard, American Legion Post 68, and other veterans from the Spanish Fork area.