Jeffrey Peter McCutcheon

Jeffrey Peter McCutcheon

December 12, 1954 – June 8, 2023

Jeff McCutcheon passed away suddenly on June 8, 2023. Born in Scranton, PA, Jeff was one of four siblings. His father was an Air Force Lieutenant Colonel and the family lived in Cape Cod, MA, Okinawa, and Virginia before settling in San Antonio, TX when Jeff was in high school. There, Jeff met his wife, Jill, and they were married at the Tlaquepaque chapel in Sedona in March 1983. Their daughter, Meghan, was born later that year and their family was complete.

After moving to Sedona in 1984, Jeff opened a custom cabinetry business and built and installed cabinets in many local homes through the mid-1990s. While still working in cabinetry, Jeff became a volunteer firefighter with Sedona Fire District and was hired full-time in 1996. During his years at Sedona Fire he spent countless hours volunteering at Verde Valley School, teaching special emergency medicine classes and taking students on backpacking trips into West Clear Creek. He medically retired from his position as Engineer/Paramedic in 2008. After retiring from the fire service, Jeff returned to school and received his nursing degree from Yavapai College. He served as a nurse until his retirement in 2019. Jeff’s purpose in life was always to help others, whether it was building something beautiful for their home, creating a lasting memory, or caring for them in a time of need.

Jeff loved the outdoors and all kinds of sports. Growing up, he explored the jungles of Okinawa, finding abandoned military hideouts and munitions. That level of excitement early on spurred him to continue seeking out adventure for his whole life. He played basketball and Frisbee, studied, taught, and competed as a black belt in Kenpo karate, road-biked and mountain-biked countless miles, and explored the backcountry around Sedona. His favorite place, though, was his beloved home on Oak Creek, where he could be found along the banks of the creek playing guitar, napping in a hammock, playing fetch with his dogs, or watching his grandchildren, Cormac and Hazel, play in the water.

Jeff was a kind, sensitive soul, a hilarious joker, and was always willing to lend a hand. He was a loving, supportive husband, a wonderful father, and the most amazing grandfather. He always had an adventurous story, silly song, or goofy joke to tell. His loss is unfathomable and he will be missed beyond measure.

Jeff is survived by his brother Robert, his wife Jill, his daughter Meghan and her husband, Kai Kincheloe, and his grandchildren, Cormac and Hazel Kincheloe. The family will be celebrating his life privately, but those seeking to honor his memory can make a donation in his name to his beloved grandchildren’s school, Running River School, at www.SupportRRS.org.

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