Alex Hulka's Funeral Services

Alexander Kuakini Hulka, 20, of Cottonwood Heights, Utah died on August 26, 2016 after a courageous 18 month battle with cancer. Alex was born on December 4, 1995 in Sandy, Utah to Greg and Jane Hulka.  For the first five years of his life he lived overseas with his family in China, Honduras, Russia, and Ukraine. He loved traveling and wasn’t afraid to try new things. Alex moved to Utah after the death of his father and sister in an automobile accident.

Alex graduated with honors from Brighton High School in 2014. He loved running on the track and cross country teams and playing saxophone in the band. Whether he was doing service in the community as an Eagle Scout or serving in the LDS church, he was always looking for ways to help others. Although Alex was sometimes shy and quiet, he had a love for life and was recognized by his contagious smile. Alex was always fun to be around. He was a jokester, basketball player, runner, Rubik’s cube master, and amateur magician. He was loved by all who knew him.

Alex was called to serve an LDS mission in St. Petersburg, Russia, where he served faithfully until he became too sick to continue. He was diagnosed with a Stage IV Germ Cell Tumor, which he battled and beat. Alex then attended BYU and was hoping to work in the medical field so he could use his many experiences in the hospital to help others. Unfortunately, the cancer came back just as he was getting his life back on track. Alex fought to the bitter end; bravely enduring additional chemotherapy, stem cell transplants, radiation, and multiple surgeries.

Alex was preceded in death by his father, Gregory Hulka, his sister, Abigail Hulka, and his grandfather, Paul Hulka.

Alex is survived by his mother, Jane Marie Hulka-Johnson, and his 5 brothers; David Shane Johnson (Corrine), Adam Johnson (Jessica), Andrew Hulka, Ryan Johnson (Jacque), and Aaron Hulka. He is also survived by his 8 nieces and nephews; his grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and many friends.
A viewing will be held on Friday, September 2, 2016, at the Cottonwood Heights 5th Ward (7075 South 2245 East, Cottonwood Heights, UT) from 6-8 pm. To honor Alex’s fun-loving personality, the viewing will also include a celebration of life and luau (luau attire optional). Funeral services will also be held at the Cottonwood Heights 5th Ward on Saturday, September 3, 2016, at 11:00 am with a viewing from 9:30-10:40 am. Alex will be interred at Redwood Memorial Estates.

We would like to thank Primary Children’s Medical Center, especially the ICS floor, surgical floor, the oncology clinic, and IMC hospice.
Condolences may be sent to, myers-mortuary.com

Below is the original post about "Alex Hulka's Cancer Bucket List":

We're sick of cancer and sick of wasting so much time in doctor's offices, appointments and hospital rooms.

Instead, we're going to tackle Alex's Cancer Bucket List! First item on the list is visiting family across the country, hit up Harry Potter World, Star Wars at Disney World, digging toes into soft beach sand, solving every Rubik’s Cube he can find and maybe climb Mt. Everest...one step at a time ;)

Alex is my younger brother. One of the most quiet, smart, wisest and kindest young men you will ever meet. He loves all things basketball, running and Rubik's Cubes.

He was diagnosed with a form germ-cell cancer that manifested while serving a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Russia.

For the last year and a half we have conquered and re-conquered cancer time and time again. Alex's most recent pet scan showed new cancer in both lungs, lymph nodes between the lungs, more tumors in the liver and tumors in his hips, both sides, and in the top of his right femur.

Through it all, Alex has always kept a smile on his face. In his maturity he once told a nurse, "I do not dwell on the things I cannot control." He is a true inspiration to us all.

The doctors gave some subjective timeframe of 4 to 6 months, but we know that we have even less time where he feels good enough to check off his Bucket list. So don't ask him how he's feeling--just focus on enjoying time with him.

Flights, tickets and activities get expensive, especially with 6 brothers and family that Alex wants to share these moments with. Please help us with the time crunch by donating and helping us raise funds as soon as possible to help Alex check off his bucket list while he has the strength to do so.

This time we're conquering cancer by conquering time.

We love you Alex!