Micheal Brent Smith Fletcher- Husband, Father, Grandfather, Marketing Guru, Friend, Politician, Utah Ute Fanatic and Story-Teller, returned home to his heavenly family and friends early on Wednesday, March 17th, 2021. It’s obvious that he wanted to get the St. Patty’s Day celebration started early in heaven… and that the whole “cancer thing” was really cramping his style here on earth!!

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Mike came into this world much like he lived his life, big and full of spirit. Born on September 6th, 1940 and weighing in at over 10 plus pounds, his parents Lucille and Harry Fletcher knew he was destined for BIG things.

The second of three boys, Mike spent his formative years in Centerville, Utah. It is here that Mike described an idyllic childhood full of adventure, mischief and the occasional “borrowed” car or boat, to help make the adventure complete. Mike took great pride in being part of the first graduating class of Bountiful High School in 1957. As a proud Brave, he served on the Student Council, Seminary Presidency and was the self-proclaimed “best dancer” in the entire school (a claim confirmed by many fellow Braves over the years).

After high school at the age of 17, he joined the U.S Army. During his military time, he rose through the ranks and soon became a Sargent in the Field Engineering Tank Division. In the Army he was nicknamed the “Starchy Sargent,” due to his impeccable detail in making sure his uniform was perfectly pressed. A quality highlighted throughout Mike’s life.

After Mike’s time in the Service, he attended Weber State. Here he earned his Associates degree in Business and charmed many a “wildcat” in his days there. During his time at Weber State, he moonlighted as a local radio personality with KUVV. Mike covered everything from news to sporting events. As if that wasn’t enough, he also worked as the White Satin Sugar Man. Mike would dress in an all-white cowboy getup and deliver silver dollars to those who had White Satin Sugar in their grocery carts.

On completion of his degree, he took his first professional job at the Salt Lake Tribune, where he worked in advertising sales for over eleven years. It was during this time that he met the love of his life, Miss Roberta Swenson. The two of them met while on a double date, but not with each other, and soon realized they wished they were. After a whirlwind courtship of four months, Mike turned in his bachelor card for his forever sweetheart. Mike and Roberta enjoyed almost fifty- four years of marriage this year.

Following the Tribune, Mike went to work as the VP of Hospitality Marketing and Sales for Pearson Enterprises. During this time, he participated in many hospitality related organizations such as: the Utah Hotel and Motel Association, The Utah Convention and Business Bureau and the Salt Shakers. Mike also worked as a lobbyist on behalf of those organizations, to pass important legislation promoting the state of Utah and the Hospitality Industry. Politics played an important role in his life, as he ran for a seat in the Utah House of Representatives.

Later in life, Mike had a variety of jobs that all involved his masterful ways of selling, his charm and ability to delight people.

Although Mike had many accomplishments, his greatest joy was his family and friends. He enjoyed spending time with his two boys Jamie and Josh. He took the role of being a dad very seriously and supported them in anything and everything that they were involved with. He enjoyed years of skiing with his family, as well as teaching or patrolling at Alta, Solitude and Park City.

Mike loved to dress with style and took pride in being the best dressed man in the room, or as he would say, “looking dynamite!” In fact, he was named one of the “Best Dressed Men” in Utah by the Salt Lake Tribune. Mike’s hair was a thing of legend, he even made Kenny Rogers jealous. He would go to great lengths to showcase these heavenly locks. This was demonstrated by his refusal to wear a ski hat, even on the coldest days!

Mike was an avid, lifelong Utah Utes fan. He loved attending the football games and was not shy about verbalizing his dislike of certain plays, player performance or unfair treatment of Utah by the referees. He also loved golfing with a passion and spent as much time on the course as possible. Over his many years of playing the game, he was fortunate enough to get two hole in ones!

Mike loved being a grandpa to his six beautiful grandchildren and hardly ever missed a game or event in their lives. His distinct booming voice from the stands will be missed, but we have no doubt he will continue cheering them on from above.

Mike’s gregarious and ”bigger than life personality” will always be remembered and celebrated amongst his friends and family. Although he will be missed by many, the heavenly party has just begun!

Mike’s memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 27th at 11:00 a.m. at the LDS Chapel located at 5565 South Neighbor Lane, Holiday, UT. If attending in person, please wear a mask. For those who are not able to attend in person, a Zoom broadcast will be available.

https://zoom.us/j/.98198341056

Dial-In Number: 1-253-215-8782

Meeting ID: 98198341056

Life Story Info

Post Date

Mar 22, 2021

Personal Info

Age

80
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Guestbook

Mike was a very special cousin that we looked so forward to visiting when we took our annual vacation to Salt Lake. There was always fun & excitement when he was around. Once Mike came to visit in CA when I was in high school. The two of us went to Disneyland, I wore high-heels..... to dress equivalently with Mike...Ugg! Lots of fun, lots of laughter, he will be missed!

Tami Roloff , Woodinville, WA, US Apr 13, 2021

You were a great mentor to me. I met you in 1972 and always looked forward to seeing you. I enjoyed so much working with you in our “Retirement Job” chapter of our lives driving limo. God Bless. I will always remember you as “One in a Million”

GaryHarmer Apr 08, 2021

I loved Mike and can say with all his special personality, his work was special and excellent also. My best to Roberta and your family. Clark

Clark Pearson , Richfield , UT, US Mar 31, 2021

I was a Dispatcher with Mike at Allresort. We became close friends and co-workers. He was always smiling and a great attitude. He always asked how the family was and about my wife battling Cancer. I will miss him dearly. His kind words ands friendship will forever be with me.

Gale Sargent , Echo, UT, US Mar 28, 2021

Roberta, Jamie Josh and family, with a heavy heart we send you our love. Mariano and Migs.

Mariano Escobedo Mar 27, 2021

Roberta, Josh, Jamie and families....I am so very sorry for your loss and will keep all of you in my heart and prayers as you remember such a special person. The obituary is an amazing tribute and so well written, capturing the essence of the Mike we all knew and loved for many years. I am grateful that we kept in touch after the Hilton days. I will always think of Mike as a kind, positive man who loved his family unconditionally. There is no doubt in my mind that he is now talking UTES and golf with Rikard and Ed.

Jude

Jude Christensen , Salt lake City, UT, US Mar 26, 2021

We are so grateful to have had such a wonderful neighbor and friend in our lives. Mike's memory will live on in our hearts. He was in many ways larger than life. We can still hear his robust laughter that filled a room. We had such good times with our families fishing and camping. Our love and prayers to Roberta, Jamie, Josh and the Fletcher family.

Dan and Mary McElhattan Sr.

Mary McElhattan Mar 25, 2021

Dear Roberta and family you are all in Mike’s many friends prayers and thoughts. He was a man of many talents and you couldn’t be around him without smiling with him and enjoy with fondness your conversations, and no doubt definitely a great dresser. I know how he loved and supported his sons. We have known Josh for many years and love and acknowledge his many talents of giving, hard work, smart, and fun to be around from the examples of his dads love.

Having a long love and many friendships you can never lose and those we love deeply, I believe, becomes a part of us. Those of us who know you and your wonderful family share your grief and wish you comfort and peace. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow said, “ The heart, like the mind has a memory. and in it are kept the most precious keepsakes. “

Love, The Ellis Family

Arlene Ellis , Salt Lake City, UT, US Mar 23, 2021

Mike was always the dad we loved to be around. We loved hanging out with mike and his boys, at tennis, baseball or skiing. His warm smile and engaging personality just made all of us feel welcome and loved. Later in life, he and Roberta have been such dear friends of our parents and ultimately looked after my dad until he passed last year. We’ll never forget how much time he took to be with my dad in his last years. Long live mike! I’m sure he and Rick are playing 18 holes now and laughing about their days growing up in Davis county. We’ll miss you mike!!

Rich Lambert Mar 22, 2021

The best man we knew and the best msn at our wedding.

Fred Schnepper Mar 22, 2021

He will be miss May these family be strong for each other the strength of these family will be on the men of these family to love your mom an say everything will be ok we will be there for you to hold to give you strength an love an happiness family are for every

Gilbert S Fortune , Holladay, UT, US Mar 22, 2021

Timeline


  • 1990
  • Jul 14, 1990

    Schnepper nuptials

  • Jul 14, 1990

    Schnepper nuptials 2

  • 2010
  • 2016

    The Escobedo’s and Fletcher’s

  • 2016

    The Fletcher’s and the Escobedos