Landon James Dutson, a 16-year-old mountain biker and student at Mountain Ridge High School, died on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026, following a tree-cutting accident while visiting family in Arkansas. According to an obituary from Larkin Mortuary, Dutson passed away peacefully without experiencing pain during the accident.
A Life Defined by Adventure
Dutson, who was born on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2010, in Orem, Utah, was the son of Nicholas Wayne Dutson and Jodie Wheeler Dutson. His family noted that while he was visiting relatives in Arkansas, an unfortunate tree-cutting accident took his life.
A Passion for the Outdoors
An avid outdoorsman, Dutson was known for his passion for the mountains. His interests included fishing in Alaska, hiking, skiing, and mountain biking, which he described as both a hobby and a form of therapy that allowed him to clear his mind and challenge his limits.
Competitive Cycling Career
Dutson was an active competitor in mountain bike racing. According to race records from BikeReg, he competed in several events within the Utah High School Cycling League Region 4 and the NICA Utah Interscholastic Cycling League. His racing history included several finishes in 2023, 2024, and 2025, including a race on June 7 in Richfield where he placed 25th in the Men Junior 13-14 Junior/Cat2 category.
Racing History and Achievements
His racing history shows he competed in the Mountain West region, including races such as the Red Rock Rampage and Cactus Hugger. In the 2025 season, he participated in the Red Rock Rampage, placing 30th, and the Cactus Hugger, placing 34th.
Academic and Spiritual Life
Beyond athletics, Dutson was a student at Mountain Ridge High School in Herriman, Utah. He was a member of the school's Chinese Dual Language Immersion program starting in the first grade and had successfully passed his AP Chinese exam. He expressed a desire to serve a full-time mission in the future to utilize his language skills.
Character and Legacy
Dutson was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served as a Priest, blessing the sacrament every week. His family described him as having a fun-loving, mischievous personality, often playing pranks on friends and family, while also possessing a thoughtful and caring heart.
Memorial Service Details
Memorial services for Dutson will be held in Herriman. A viewing is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Chapel located at 4252 W Paladin Way. A second viewing will take place on Friday, Oct. 30, 2026, from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM, followed by a memorial service at 11:00 AM at the same location. A graveside service will follow at the Herriman Cemetery, located at 12465 S Pioneer St.
