Russell and Arlis Hutchinson will celebrate 69 years of marriage on December 15, 2013. Russell was born in Springville and turned 88 years old last June. Arlis will be 91 in January, and was born in Payson. Russell's family moved to Payson the day Pearl Harbor was attacked [Dec 7, 1941]. His dad signed for him to join the Navy when he was 17. Russell didn't know Arlis until after returning from the War. He and a friend saw her walking down the sidewalk and he remarked, "I'm going to marry that girl."
Russell didn't have very much schooling so when he joined the Navy they promised him they would help further his education. But after boot camp he was put on the USS Coral Sea, an aircraft carrier, and sent out to sea. He served for two years and saw many conflicts in the Pacific. At one time he had a fungal infection so bad in both hands they wanted to amputate his hands, but his father would not allow them to do so.
In 1960 they built a home on ten acres they purchased from Bill Hazel, which is now called Hazel Drive. They
owned an orchard east and south of the Salem City Cemetery. Russell also worked for Payson City running a road grader. His father had taught him how to operate heavy equipment since he was eight years old. After that he worked for Union Pacific Railroad and then several construction companies, including Morris Knutson, Kiewit Corporation [one of the largest contractors in the world], Andy Drum Construction in Fallon, Nevada, and W.W. Clyde Construction.
Up until they had children, Arlis was able to go with him to the construction sites and stayed in their traler house. After they had children she stayed at home in Salem. Her father had the livery stables in Payson. When he passed away Russell and Arlis turned it into the Payson Fire Station; then it became the Fire House Restaurant. Arlis managed the restaurant.
They have two children: a son, Val, who lives in Salt Lake and a daughter, Jan, who lives in Spanish Fork. They have seven grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Russell served on the Salem City Planning Commission. Their daughter, Jan, was Miss Salem. Russell had a convertible so he and Arlis took the royalty to many parades. Arlis said they enjoyed the parades as much as the girls did.
They have both served in positions with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They are appreciative of their neighbors, especially John Perrett, who has helped them so much as Russell is now in a wheel chair. Russell still plants flowers and takes care of his yard. Russell loved to restore old cars, his favorite being convertibles and the T-Bird was his favorite. His hobby now is flower gardening and outside decorations for the holidays. Arlis used to knit, crochet, and tie quilts. She has done genealogy since she was in Junior High School and has traced her line way back. Her hobby now is playing bridge at the Spanish Fork Senior Citizens' Center.
When asked about food, Russell said he doesn't like asparagus, but he loves vanilla ice cream. Arlis said she loves everything, her favorite being raspberry cheesecake.
They love Salem and their view of the area and the pond. They love the citizens, their good neighbors and the help they are to them.
Russell and Arlis, may you have a wonderful 69th Wedding Anniversary.
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