John Frederick Fechser II

John Frederick Fechser II, age 71, passed away on April 1, 2026.

He was born on December 4th at Hughes Hospital in Spanish Fork, Utah, to Jeannie Chadburn Fechser Tate and John Fechser. He was raised on a farm in Springville, where he learned early the value of hard work, curiosity, and making something out of what you have.

He was a man of many talents and even more interests. He was a true character, a dreamer, and someone who saw beauty and purpose in things others might overlook. He was a gifted mechanic who could fix just about anything, knew every part of a car, and wasn’t afraid to take on any challenge. He worked in the SUFCO coal mines up Salina Canyon, hauled sprinkler lines across Utah, Idaho, and Nevada, and spent years in construction and as a concrete finisher as well as a home builder and fine craftsman.

Throughout his life, he followed opportunity wherever it led him, living in Utah, Arizona, and Wyoming. He owned his own construction company and later a trucking company, poured pool copings, built tennis courts, worked in the oil fields, and served as a mechanic for U-Haul. He was a foreman on numerous major projects, including the Provo Hospital parking structure, the Quail Creek Dam in Hurricane, and bridge crews in the Spaghetti Bowl in Salt Lake County. He also worked as a lead salesman for a water filter company. As a lifelong self educator, if he decided to learn something, he simply did, and did it well.

He was an exceptional equipment operator and truck driver, and he loved anything with an engine; fast cars, 4x4s, Harleys, dirt bikes, military vehicles, airplanes, and helicopters. But beyond his skill with machines, he was a lifelong learner, deeply intelligent, widely read, and endlessly curious. He could talk about sports, history, science, space exploration, or just about anything, often surprising people with how much he knew.

He was also an artist at heart. He was a self taught pianist, composer, sculptor, and wordsmith. Though he could not read music, he could play beautifully, compose songs, and remember them. He loved music and especially loved singing harmonies with his boys, something that began in his own childhood as he performed in quartet festivals.

He was a man who loved adventure and the open road. He was an explorer at heart, always drawn to dirt roads, back roads, and spontaneous travel. Some of his favorite places weren’t simply destinations, but the roads less traveled along the way. He loved nature deeply and often praised God for the beauty of the world, especially the quiet beauty of a sunrise.

He was an Eagle Scout, and enjoyed scuba diving, beginning in places like “the Goshen Ocean” and Burraston Ponds. He was also a hunter and outdoorsman. As a young man, he enjoyed flying in small planes with his father. He loved sports, especially the 49ers, the Utah Jazz during the Stockton-to-Malone era, and BYU athletics.

He was a people person; very charismatic, engaging, and able to talk with anyone. He had a quick wit, a love for words, and a steady supply of both really good and really bad dad jokes.

His faith in Jesus Christ was central to his life. He loved the Lord, cherished his scriptures, and remained faithful through many trials, including being a 26-year survivor of esophageal cancer. He was incredibly tough, a relentless worker, and someone who never gave up, no matter what life put in front of him. One of his favorite things to say, especially in times of trouble, was: “Just remember God is in control and it will all be okay.”

Above all, he loved his family. He is survived by his children: Andrew (Christy) Fechser, Isaac Fechser, Edward Fechser, Shelley (Joe) Franklin, Bryant (Tara) Fechser, Maren (Ryan) Littledike, and Hyrum (Allyson) Fechser; and 12 grandchildren, who will fondly remember his visits, often made sweeter with ice cream sandwiches in hand.

He is also survived by his siblings: Rebecca F. Everett, Margo Fechser Swena, Debbie F. Hamilton, Chris F. Nelson, Ben Fechser, and Merideth Vehar.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jeannie Chadburn Fechser Tate and John Fechser; his stepfather, Bill Tate; his brother, Orlando Fechser, and his sister Merica Hale.

John Fechser was a man who loved his family dearly. He lived a life full of grit, creativity, faith, and curiosity. He loved to build, fix, create, explore, and inspire. He saw value in the overlooked, beauty in the broken, and possibility in everything. He is deeply loved and will be greatly missed.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00pm on Friday, April 10, 2026 at the LDS Church 131 E 100 N Fairview, UT 84629. A viewing will be held from 10:00-10:45am, prior to the funeral services. Following the services the interment will be at the Fairview Cemetery, Fairview, UT.

Funeral services may be viewed by clicking the livestream below.