Brandon Huggard

May 20, 1982 — April 19, 2022

Brandon Lynn Huggard
May 20, 1982 - April 19, 2022

It is with sorrow that we announce the death of Brandon Huggard, son of Carrie and Craig Huggard and big brother to his beloved little sister, Avery Anne.

Brandon grew up in American Fork and Alpine, Utah. He was a beautiful baby with blue eyes and a very round head, which led his Aunt to name him Buddha Boy. His early childhood was seemingly idyllic. He would leave the house early morning and play outside until evening.

When Brandon was nine, his parents moved to Alpine, Utah where his father helped build a house that overlooks the Lone Peak Range and where Brandon grew to a teen, readily forming loyal friends, many of whom became friends for life. When Brandon was in high school, his dad gave him his old 1984 truck, which they spent many hours restoring, creating deep, nonverbal bonds. The Toyota truck also enabled Brandon to continue his outdoor adventures - four-wheeling, camping and fishing in the mountains with his friends and forming a strong love for nature. He especially loved Forest Lake, The Chute (Alpine Slide), and Jacob's Ladder. The mountains were his place of peace.

At Lone Peak High School, Brandon and eight of his friends became known as the "Posse" - skateboarding, snowboarding and working out together as well as supporting sports events and dances. With a date, dressed from prom, Brandon could have passed for a movie star. This is where his love affair with footwear started. According to family tales, he at one time had 200 pairs or was it 100?? Brandon graduated from Lone Peak in 2000 and then got accepted at Utah State University.

He was able to complete one year of USU, during which time a drug addiction became evident as did his mental health struggles with anxiety and depression. Brandon completed mental health and addiction treatment at a number of different facilities.

He was an only child until, in his 21st year, Craig and Carrie had a second child, an astonishingly beautiful baby girl, Avery Anne, who ultimately became the light of Brandon's life.

Brandon had many different jobs, but most satisfying were his jobs in gym management, outdoor landscaping, and, finally, excavations and rockscapes with Yellowstone Construction, where co-owner and friend, Kevin Louder, said, "Brandon helped us build what we have today. . . He's had his hands on every bit of all the cool jobs we've done."

In his 30s approaching 40, Brandon's biggest dream was to get well, find a loving partner, and be more supportive of his little sister, Avery Anne.

Brandon's family and Brandon himself did everything possible to overcome addiction. Brandon had many periods of sobriety, the longest lasting three years, during which time he re-blossomed into his charming, ever-eager-to-please self. In early spring of 2022, Brandon's struggle ended, leaving a legacy which expanded the hearts and compassion of all who love him.

Memorial for Brandon will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, May 2nd, at Anderson & Sons Lone Peak Chapel, in Highland, 6141 W 11000 N. Visitation will be held prior to services from 10:00 to 11:00 am.

The family would like to pay tribute to friends and family who supported Brandon throughout - both times of joy and deepest sorrow. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to mental health and addiction treatment non-profit organizations such NAMI nami.org and Odyssey House, odysseyhouse.org