Donald Edward Utter

Donald Utter of Surprise, AZ passed away on December 13^th, 2010 with his loving wife of 26 years, Mary Jo at his side.

Donald was born on April 26^th 1931 to Alberta and Clinton Utter in Rushville, IL.

Upon Donald’s graduation from Dixon High School, Dixon, IL, he completed his BA at Monmouth College in Monmouth, IL.

After college he spent two years in the Army, stationed at Fort Ord, CA during the Korean War serving as the pool N.C.O. and swimming instructor.

He completed his teaching credential at Fresno State College in 1962 and began teaching and coaching swimming at Clovis High School, Clovis, CA.

Donald relocated to Costa Mesa, CA in 1964 in order to teach and coach swimming & water polo at Costa Mesa High School. He continued his passion for coaching aquatic sports by serving as head coach of the Coast Clippers Aquatic Club. He took great joy in working with a countless number of youth from the Costa Mesa/Newport Beach area to refine their competitive swimming skills.

He retired after serving as the Activities Director and then Dean of Students at Costa Mesa High School. He moved to Gold Beach, OR and later to Surprise, AZ.

Donald is survived by his wife, Mary Jo Utter, and children, Debra Utter Krinsky of Manchester NH, Darla Utter Goto of Dayton MN, Denise Dorn of Tempe, AZ, Cynthia Weinzierl of Orland, CA, Greg Sypherd, Sun City, CA and David Sypherd, Riverside, CA, six grandchildren, and his sister Betty Russell of Dixon, IL.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Carol Utter Smith of Freeport, IL.

A celebration of his life will be held on April 28, 2011 in Sedona, AZ. A memorial has been established to the Banner Sun Health Research Institute/Parkinson’s, P. O. Box 2015, Sun City, AZ 85372-2015(www.shri.org).