Timothy Wayne Kutzkey

Tim Kutzkey, beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on March 31, 2015. Born in Alturas on Feb. 18, 1943, he was the only son of the late Al and Rosetta Kutzkey. They relocated to Montague in the late 1940s, where the family performed musically. Tim was quite the little country singer and was dubbed “T Texas Tim.” Tim’s early years were spent shadowing his father and learning the art of fur trapping, fishing and hunting throughout Shasta Valley and along the Klamath River. The family parted ways when Tim was in grade school. He finished his childhood and high school years with his father and stepmother at the famous Kutzkey Lodge on the upper Klamath River, where fish was always on the table beginning with breakfast! Tim finished grade school in Hornbrook and graduated from Yreka High in 1961. Tim worked for Boise Cascade Realty Group as project manager of Klamath River Country Estates in the 1970s. In 1974, he met and married his wife, Chris. It wasn’t long before the river called his name and Western River Guides was created in 1976. He offered new experiences in drift boat fishing, branching out from the Klamath to the Smith, Chetco, Trinity and Sacramento Rivers. Tim’s skills and expertise on the river as a guide and trapper would lead him to run the biggest operation of drift boat fishing on the Klamath River and win him notoriety with sports writers in the magazines and the news media. In early 1979, Tim and Chris took over operation of Kutzkey’s Lodge along with Kutzkey’s Western River Guides, offering good lodging, good food and amazing fishing to hundreds of clientele for many years. When unpredictable fisheries challenged the industry, the Kutzkey Lodge was sold, but Tim continued his guiding operation, adding a jet boat to the business for better access on the Sacramento River. At that time, he also offered trips to clients looking for a bigger thrill along the Kenai in Alaska. There was no one that had a better fishing story than Tim Kutzkey! An avid hunter and angler, Tim was also a great father and teacher to his children. Whether it was a weekend on the coast, or floats on the lake or rivers, Tim made sure the activity included picnicking and fishing. He also enjoyed some great bear hunts on the Klamath with his sons. In later years, Tim was a fabulous handyman, plumber, electrician and painter, assisting his wife in her real estate business as they finished rearing all their children. He was very creative, an amazing gardner and found pleasure in his woodworking skills, including making planter boxes and later small furniture for the grandchildren. Tim had a keen wit and a sparkle in his eye. He will be missed by all who had the opportunity to know him. He is survived by wife, Chris, of 40 years; sons, Albert Kutzkey (Deborah), Tim Kutzkey (Lisa), and Dan Kutzkey (Amy); daughters, Wendy Kutzkey Brice and Tracy Kutzkey Cash (Clinton); sister Megan Kutzkey; and nine grandchildren. Tim was predeceased by son, Kim Kutzkey and parents, Al Kutzkey and Rosetta Lopez. Friends and family are invited to an afternoon memorial of storytelling and memories at the Kutzkey Lodge, 4824 Copco Road, Hornbrook, on Saturday, April 18, 2015, from 2-4 p.m.

Timothy Wayne Kutzkey

February 18, 1943 - March 31, 2015