Kolten Max Best

Kolten Max Best went on to Heaven on July 10, 2023. Kolten was born March 2, 2007, in St. George, Utah, to Kyle Best and Erin Christensen Best, he was their first born and was the best big brother to KyLee Brooke Best (13) and Jessie Belle Best (5). 

Kolten was born and raised in Southern Utah. He was the perfect baby, always happy and laughing. He loved getting scared by dad. For hours Kolten and dad would crawl around the floor, Dad hiding around any corner waiting to jump out and scare Kolten, who would then squeal and fall over laughing and then start crawling away as fast as he could, until he would be so tired, he passed out with the biggest smile on his face. He could sing a full country song before he could walk.

As a young boy, Kolten loved going camping with his aunt Emily. He was the perfect camper, he kept himself entertained all day and would put himself to bed around 8pm. He loved fishing with his dad because he would out-fish his dad every time. In elementary, during recess he would hang out with the teachers, entertaining them with his jokes and his witty personality. He was his sister’s protector and his mom’s right-hand man. He saw his mom organizing bills and she was a little short for the month, so Kolten went and got his birthday money and gave it to her to cover that month’s bills. His mom told him to keep his money, she still had three days of work to make the money for that bill and she’d be ok. When she handed the money back to Kolten, he got mad and yelled at her, “Gosh mom. Sometimes you just need to know when to accept help!” Then with tears flowing down his cheeks he ran to his room. That’s our Kolten, he would give anything and everything to anyone who needed it, even if that meant he went without.

As a preteen, Kolten struggled with depression. One day he told his mom he had lost his happy. So, mom made him take his sister Jessie to the dollar store. When Kolten and Jessie Belle got home, they were both laughing. Mom asked what that was all about. Kolten told his mom he couldn’t believe it; Jessie was so happy over a dollar. Something so small made his sister so ecstatic and her giggles were contagious. Every single day since, Kolten has either taken her to the store or brought a surprise home for her. Jessie Belle became Kolten’s new happy.

At 14, Kolten got a job working for Ivins City as a referee. He loved his job and took pride in always being on time. Kolten and his sister KyLee were best friends and were not afraid to show it. He was her protector, her confidant, her personal stylist, and would even act as her arms and legs, giving her piggyback rides all around the rodeo and rowing her all around the lake in the middle of the night. He wouldn’t wake up on time for school, but he would wake up to curl or braid her hair and was her outfit critic every morning before school.

Kolten and his mom were so close, he kept nothing from her and even shared too much sometimes. Every conversation started with, “I probably shouldn’t tell you this but…” He would even secretly text his mom when he and his friends were ditching class, so she knew where he was and what he was doing. Kolten took friendship to a whole new level; he would give anything and everything for the people he cared about. He was the best listener and never spoke a word of what was said. He valued trust, love, loyalty, honesty, and integrity. Kolten’s love was so pure, he loved with no limitations and without expectations. Kolten’s dream was to live off the grid and to start and raise a family creating his own power source, growing, raising, and hunting his own food source and teaching his children how to survive off the land, just as his dad and grandpa had taught him.

Kolten’s favorite things included Lazer Mania, Mo’ Bettas, Pepsi/Dr. Pepper, Cooking (Without Cleaning), Singing and Listening to Music, Peach Rings, the colors Green and Dark Blue, his collection of knifes, making anything with paracord, Legos, Driving, his hair, and how much of a lady’s man he was. 

When Kolten got to Heaven he was greeted by all his favorite people: Great-grandpa, Donald Best, Great-grandma, Carol Best, Great-grandma, Betty Kroger, Grandpa, Jesse Christensen, Great-grandpa, Jerry Luben, Great-grandpa, John Thompson, Great-grandpa, Michael Connors, Great-grandpa, Darwin Hunt, Great-grandma, Kathy Hunt, Uncle, Scott Jensen,  Aunt, Charity Garcia, Uncle, Robert Best, Aunt, Christina Best, Uncle, David Feaster, Cousin, Matthew Peranen.

The first visitation will be held on Thursday, July 20, 2023, from 5:00 – 7:00 pm, at Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 South Bluff Street, St. George, Utah

The second visitation will be held on Friday, July 21, 2023, from 11:00 am – 12:30 pm, followed by the funeral services, beginning at 1:00 pm, also at Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 South Bluff Street, St. George, Utah.

Interment will take place at Ivins City Cemetery Immediately following the services, at 200 West 400 North, Ivins, Utah.

Family and friends that were unable to attend the services in person are welcome to attend them virtually by clicking on the link below:

Video on Demand

Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S Bluff Street, St. George, Utah. 435-673-2454. Family and friends are invited to sign Kolten’s online guest book at www.spilsburymortuary.com