John B. Utsey passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 13, 2024 the age of 85. He is survived by his wife Lavelle Utsey, son David Utsey and wife Kathy Utsey, daughter Jennifer Utsey and sweetheart Mark Payne, grandson Michael Utsey and wife Alyssa Hart and great- granddaughter Isabelle Utsey, grandson Daniel Utsey, step- grandson Mark Stoltz and fiance Montana Meador, step-granddaughter Danielle Heidt and husband Matthew Heidt.

He was born in Kilgore, TX on December 19, 1938. He received his undergraduate degree from Baylor University and received his MBA from New York University.

He joined Foley's Department Store in 1961 as a trainee and retired as chairman and CEO in 1989. He served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the United Way of the Texas Gulf Coast, The Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau, The Houston Better Business Bureau, and the Texas Research League. He also served on the Board of Directors of The Associated Merchandising Corporation, Mbank Houston, Central Houston Incorporated, the Texas Association of Taxpayers, The Texas Council on Economic Education, Houston Grand Opera, The Alley Theater, Houston Taping for the Blind, the Houston Festival Foundation and the Urban Affairs Corporation.

Upon retirement, travel was his passion and he thoroughly enjoyed creating memories and sharing travel experiences with his wife by his side. He developed an interest in hiking going to the Grand Canyon National Park, Big Bend National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park numerous times. He also hiked abroad in numerous countries such as England, Spain, France, Greece, Syria and Jordan, Argentina, Chile, Nepal, Bhutan, to name a few.

He was preceded in death by his father John H. Utsey, mother Gertrude Utsey, father-in-law Carl Watkins, mother-in-law Pearl Watkins and brother-in-law Ronnie Watkins.

The funeral will be held at Klein Funeral Homes, 16131 Champion Forest Dr., Spring, TX 77379 at 10:00am on Friday, April 19, 2024. All friends and family are welcome.

John and his wife were devoted members of Champion Forest Baptist Church in Spring, TX. Interment will be held in Tyler, TX at 12:30pm on Saturday, April 20, 2024. All friends and family are welcome.