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Grant Orton - 7/19/2010

Class of 1961

SLC, UT, Grant G Orton, beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother departed this life July 19, 2010, sustained by his loving family. He was welcomed into his eternal home by beloved parents who preceded him in death, his brothers Michael and Stewart who died in early childhood, and countless other relatives and friends who passed on before.

Grant was born in Cedar City, Utah on November 3, 1942, to Rulon D and LaPrele Gubler Orton. He was raised in St George and graduated from Dixie High School. He had fond memories of his boyhood and many good stories to share of his early experiences in St. George.

In 1961, Grant was called to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Central German Mission. His experiences in Germany were formative and he counted his years with the German people as some of the most special of his life. He was one of the initial teachers of the German language at the Language Training Mission in Provo following his mission.

He graduated from Dixie College, received a BS degree from BYU, and was drafted for service into the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He was commissioned as an officer in the Artillery branch of the U.S. Army and served in the German theater. He also served as president of the Baumholder Servicemen’s Branch during this period of his military service. Grant later joined the Utah National Guard and was a founding member of 300th Military Intelligence Brigade (Linguist) in Utah. He served as a Commander of the 141st Military Intelligence Battalion and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel after more than 20 years of military service to his County.

While obtaining a Masters Degree in Public Administration at BYU, he met Kathryn Garner on campus, a girl to whom he had been previously introduced. They began a courtship, and married on August 27, 1971 in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. They were sweethearts in an exemplary marriage for nearly 39 years.

Grant received his Juris Doctorate in 1977, from the University of Utah, and practiced law for the majority of his professional career. He also served on the Holladay City Council for ten years, and in numerous Church assignments. He loved foreign languages, learning, and was widely read in numerous subjects. We will miss his knowledge, his wisdom, his holistic approach to teaching us on many subjects and levels.

Grant is survived by his wife, Kathryn; his seven children, sons: Michael (Angela) of Mountain Green, UT; Mark (Amber) of Eagle Mountain, UT; David (Kelly) of Maricopa, AZ; Greg (Stephanie) of St. George, UT; and daughters: Aimee Walker (Bret) of Saratoga Springs, UT; Allison and Emily of Holladay, and by his ten grandchildren, Bryn, Macy, Ally, Charlie, Olivia, Tess, Johnny, Gracie, Elliot, and Andrew. He is also survived by his brother, Willis (Debbie) and sisters, Carolyn Ritchie (James), Shirley Ann Kohler (James) and Cynthia Moore (Craig).

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