John Hammil Utter

Reno - John Hammil Utter, February 5, 1944 to November 17, 2023, grew up on ranches in Paradise Valley, Nevada. After the family moved to Reno, John attended Central Junior High, Manogue HS, and UNR. At the university, John was an active member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and was involved in campus politics and the debate team.

John graduated from UNR in 1967 and married his college sweetheart, Anne Marie (Annie) Lesperance, in 1969. After working in banking, John became a commercial mortgage broker and a commercial real estate broker, opening two businesses. John maintained his real estate office until the day he died from complications of open-heart surgery.

A natural leader, John was a past president of Prospectors and a past commodore of the Tahoe Yacht Club. John felt it was important to give back to his community and spent years advising at the SAE house.

John's happiest days were spent on his sailboat, the True Luff, with Annie, Alicia, and his loyal crew. Always up for an adventure, he and Annie rode a motorcycle through Tuscany.

Predeceased by his parents Jack and Fairy Utter and his sister Abby Burns, he leaves behind Annie, his adored daughter Alicia, his nephews and nieces, and his many friends. By example, John taught us all the value of love and friendship. We miss your big smile, twinkly blue eyes, and protective loyalty. We wish you Tahoe breezes and smooth sailing, Captain John.

A celebration of John's life will be held on Sunday, May 19, 2:00 at the Garden Court Room in the Wilbur May Museum at Rancho San Rafael. Donations can be made to the Assistance League Reno-Sparks, P.O. Box 7376, Reno 89510 or The DJD Foundation, which helps veterans heal war wounds through art: 10450 Fort Churchill Rd., Reno 89508 (https://www.djdfoundation.org/). John admired the work both organizations do to help those in our community.