Byron Richard Orton was born of goodly parents, Byron Luke and Colleen Henderson Orton, on July 26, 1947. He married the love of his life and eternal sweetheart, Janiel Johnson, on June 27, 1966, in the Salt Lake Temple. He left this life on November 2, 2021, to carry on another life on the other side of God’s veil.
B. Richard owned and operated Rich-J Ranch, a dairy and horse operation in Salem, Utah. He enjoyed studying genetics and bloodlines of animals to create a top dairy herd and quality quarter horses with bloodlines that are still winning today. Richard loved the temple and enjoyed working as an ordinance worker for six years.
Since suffering a heart attack three and a half years ago Richard’s health has declined. Two and a half years ago he was forced into retirement when his health wouldn’t allow him to continue doing the work he loved. B. Richard made wonderful friends nationwide in the dairy and horse industries, thank you for the relationships he shared with you. He valued those friendships.
B. Richard was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He held positions as Elders Quorum President, High Priest Group Leader, High Councilor, Sunday School Teacher, Bishop, and Temple Ordinance Worker. Richard had a deep testimony of the gospel and Atonement of Jesus Christ, he truly loved the Lord.
Richard left a special legacy. He was the father of 16 children, 13 in-law children, 98 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, posterity of 134 including his children Richard Seth (Linda) Orton, Jared Luke (Rachelle) Orton, Kyla (Joe) Prior, Audra (Rich) Morley, Malea Simmons, Tyler Heber (Tammy) Orton, Cody Grover (Missi) Orton, Rikel (Heath) Bundy, Byron Richard (Lori) Orton, Alyse (David) Hansen, Amber (Ryan) Penrod, Korin (Jonny) Grange, JaNae (Zachary) Reed, and Delite Orton. Daughter in-law Jocie (Steve) Reel, Brother Douglas Luke (Debi) Orton, Sisters: Irma Jean (Dale) Blake, Joan (Steve) Haderlie, Colette (Tracy) Uptain.
He was preceded in death by two sons, Kipp J Orton and Justin Byron Orton, a grandson Tyrel Joseph Prior and his parents Byron Luke and Colleen Henderson Orton.
A viewing will be held Sunday, November 7, 2021, from 6-8 p.m. at Walker Funeral Home, 187 South Main Street, Spanish Fork, Utah 84660.
A viewing will be held Monday, November 8, 2021, from 10-11:30 a.m. at the Salem Stake Center, 470 E Salem Canal Road, Salem, Utah 84653. Funeral services will be held at the same location, at 12 p.m.
Interment is at the Salem City Cemetery.
Link for the funeral services https://youtube.com/channel/UC_A8PCzfGZorLQaAxIY8YCw
In lieu of flowers please consider a Meaningful Gift or Donation to the family.
7 Condolences for B. Richard Orton
Condolences(7)
Katie Miller says
November 4, 2021 at 10:08 pmSending prayers of comfort and peace for Richard’s entire family at this time. He and my brother Jon will reconnect and talk all things farm and horse. Love and sincere condolences to the family.
Jan Tabish says
November 5, 2021 at 3:34 pmJaniel, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Thinking about the special times we spent with you guys. May you find peace and feel the love we have for you and your family. Jan & Gene Tabish (Gordon & Leone’s daughter)
Kenneth Jackson says
November 5, 2021 at 3:48 pmI have known Richard since we were in junior high school. He in Spanish Fork and me in Payson. We have been friends ever since even thou I spent 33 years traveling the world in the U S Air Force. Just about every year when I visited Utah to see my son Jake (Salem), sister in Santaquin and brother in Provo, I always stopped to see Richard.
To his family: I love him too. He was a very good friend. To Janie’s: that you for feeding Jake when he was young. He told me about the many mornings you gave him breakfast. My prayers are with you all.
Delta Lyn Christensen Stacey says
November 6, 2021 at 2:26 pmJaniel and family, my thoughts go back through the years growing up with Richard, watching him and Janiel fall in love, and hearing of your wonderful family.
I remember visiting my parents and seeing a whole row of neat, clean and quiet Ortons in front of us as I tried hard to keep my much smaller family to sit still.
Even though I have lived far from Utah most my life I have followed you, respect you and send my love to you now.
May the work you have done in the temple and your understanding of the temple ordinances sustain you through this time.
Dawn Moschetti says
November 7, 2021 at 2:16 amI met Richard while working for his brother and sister-in-law, Doug and Debbie. He was always fun to talk to when he dropped by the office and had a great sense of humor. He also enjoyed discussing the gospel when visiting there. I was in awe of he and Janiel for having 16 children. My one drove me to distraction. His love for his family was right next to his love for God. May he rest in peace until you all meet up with him again one day on the other side of the veil.
George Gull says
November 8, 2021 at 1:30 amJaniel and family, our thoughts and prayers are for you and your family at this time. May God bless and comfort you.
Nebo Animal Clinic says
November 8, 2021 at 4:29 pmIt was a privilege working with Richard and he will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family in their loss.
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