Dr. Richard C. Layton

DR. RICHARD C. LAYTON

Dr. Richard Charles Layton, 82, of 1792 W. 8300 South, West Jordan, UT, passed away peacefully March 13, 2010, in Draper, UT.

He was born November 26, 1927, in Ogden, UT, a son of Thomas Glen and Annie Bone Layton.

He attended public schools in Layton and graduated in 1945 from Davis High School.

He married Donna Irene Fisher May 9, 1947, in the Salt Lake Temple. He served in the U.S. Air Force post World War II.

He attended Weber State College and graduated from the University of Utah with a Ph.D. in Educational Administration. He was a member of Phi Delta Kappa. He served his career in education as a teacher, counselor, school administrator, and executive director of the Salt Lake Teachers Association, the Granite Education Association, and the Nashville (TN) Education Association. In Utah he was a pioneer in organizing and advancing the interests of public school teachers.

He dedicated much of his life to public service as a member of the Clearfield City Council, member of the Davis County Welfare Board, Chairman of the Davis County Democratic Party, and as a member the Salt Lake and Nashville Chambers of Commerce and Rotary Club. As a member of the Utah Legislative Council he spearheaded legislation that led to the establishment of Antelope Island State Park.

He served in many leadership positions in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Later in life he served as Humanist Discussion Leader for the Humanists of Utah.

As a true seeker of knowledge he achieved a thorough understanding of his profession, was fully conversant on public issues of the day, and was recognized as an outstanding educator and writer. He was a proud contributor in the 1960''s and thereafter to advance the cause of civil rights. Surviving are one son and two daughters, Clark R. Layton (Christine), Draper; Sherrie Ann Skinner (Robert), Hennifer; Brenda Joy Christensen (Clay), South Jordan; eleven grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren. Also surviving is one sister Carol Ann Day (William), Layton and eleven first cousins.

Funeral services will be held Friday, March 19, 2010 at 11 a.m. at Lindquist''s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Road (850 East), with Florien Wineriter, Humanist Celebrant, Humanists of Utah, officiating. Friends and family may call Thursday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and Friday from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. at the mortuary. Interment, Kaysville City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Lisa Layton Okland Scholarship Fund at: www.slc.k12.ut.us/sites/slef/.