Drew Henry Utterback

Drew Henry Utterback was born April 9, 1967 in Anchorage, Alaska. His family moved to Stockton when he was quite small & Drew attended Fillmore Elementary & Fremont Middle School. He graduated from Franklin High School in 1985 where he participated in swimming, water polo & marching band. Drew joined Alcoholics Anonymous in 1992 & stayed clean the remainder of his life. He spent many hours both in meetings & out mentoring others. He was a great friend & beloved sponsor to many, making himself available all hours of the day & night. After being sober several years the program brought him to the love of his life. Shortly after being introduced, Drew promptly threw her in a pool. She was immediately smitten. With great joy Drew & Barbie were married August 16, 1998. Drew held several jobs in trailer manufacturing, construction, steel fabrication, engine repair & the building & repair/recondition of fire engines. His favorite occupation & the fulfillment of his childhood dream began in 1996 when he became a volunteer firefighter for Valley Springs Fire District (later renamed Foothill Fire District). Drew donated many hours to the Calaveras Community & the State of California (Cal Fire) fighting fires both close to home & across the state whenever there was a need. Drew was named Firefighter Responding to the Most Calls several years during his tenure as a Fireman. Also during this period Drew made the time to mentor several teenagers & young adults as the leader of the Foothill Fire Explorer Post. Drew passed away surrounded by his family on Monday evening, December 17, 2018. He is survived by his wife of 20 years Barbie Utterback, his children Lance Utterback, Tanya Dirks, Heather Dirks & Jeremy Armstrong all of Valley Springs, his Grandchildren Jackson Utterback, David & Alexis Hukkanen, Kendra & Mathias Leeman, his siblings Clay & Laura Utterback, Michelle Utterback all of Stockton & several nieces & nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Len & Patricia Utterback & his brother Mark Utterback Sr. Drew has touched many people’s lives & he will be greatly missed by all who loved him. A Memorial service will be held at the Jenny Lind Veteran’s Memorial, 189 Pine Street in Valley Springs on Sunday, December 23, at 3 p.m.