Carroll Lewis Cutler obituary

Carroll Lewis Cutler, 93, of Idaho Falls, passed away November 21, 2023, after battling health issues related to his mature age.

Carroll was born on his mother’s 32nd birthday in a farmhouse one mile North of Rigby, Idaho, on April 9, 1930. He was the fifth child of William Dalley Cutler and Zella Mae Parks Cutler. At the age of 4, his parents divorced and he and his sister and brothers moved to Shelley, Idaho, to be raised by their grandparents, Dr. Edwin Cutler and Agnes Dalley Cutler.

Much of Carroll’s youth was spent herding his grandparents livestock along the roads around Shelley. Carroll began a new and interesting phase of his life when he entered high school. He discovered high school athletics and went on to become a three sport letterman and president of his senior class.

Shortly after graduation in 1948, he joined the United States Navy on a three year enlistment, which was extended to four years because of the Korean War. After boot camp and electrical school in San Diego, he was assigned duty aboard the famous naval warship the USS Allen M. Sumner. This was the start of a three year adventure visiting twelve foreign ports of the world and nine United States ports of call.

Following his discharge he returned to Idaho Falls, where he started a 33 year career with The Atomic Energy Commission. A one year leave of absence was taken in 1962, to participate in “Operation Dominic”, the hydrogen bomb test on Christmas Island, where he witnessed more than 30 tests.

In October of 1956, he got lucky and married the most beautiful 16 year old in Idaho Falls, Benita “Bonnie” Larae Garner. During their 16 year marriage, he and Bonnie had four children, Teresa Lynn, Cynthia Agnes, John Fitzgerald, and Camille.

After multiple positions with the US Department of Energy he completed his career in Property Management.

During his retirement, that lasted more years than he worked, Carroll enjoyed golfing, morning coffee with his buddies, a life-long love of cars and he enjoyed buying and selling used cars. He enjoyed watching all kinds of sports, especially if it involved his grandchildren. For a time, he was involved in the Civilians Club. He enjoyed reading magazines, including Time Magazine, Kiplinger Reports, Consumer Reports and multiple automobile magazines to inform him on current events. 

Carroll was a baptized member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He enjoyed activities during his childhood. He appreciated visits and friendships with his home teachers. He developed a great friendship with his neighbors, Roger Black and Pete Mickelson and appreciated their hours of service.

In later years, Carroll enjoyed family dinners, holiday gatherings, and supporting his grandkids activities and sports. He enjoyed driving around town and watching after his family with frequent drive-bys of all his families’ homes. He made nearly daily trips to the grocery store, where he would visit with associates he considered friends. He was the type of man that could strike up a conversation and make friends with anyone he came into contact with. Carroll will be missed by many.

Carroll is survived by his daughter, Teresa (Brant) Johnson of Idaho Falls, ID; son, John Cutler of Idaho Falls, ID; daughter, Camille (Brian) Cope of Idaho Falls, ID; brother, Craig (Cheryl) Cutler of Shelley, ID; sister, Connie Cutler of Las Vegas, NV; 7 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter, Cynthia “Cindy” Wilkie; sister, Mae (Ellis) Williams; brother, Royal (Dorothy) Cutler; brother, Gerald (Patricia) Cutler; and brother, Edwin “Ted” (Marge) Cutler.

Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 29, 2023, at Wood Funeral Home, 273 North Ridge Avenue in Idaho Falls. The family will visit with friends Tuesday evening from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Wood Funeral Home, and from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. prior to the service. Burial will be in the Taylor Cemetery. Military Honors will be performed by the Bonneville County Veterans Memorial Team and the United States Navy.