Wilbur LaMar Payton

Wilbur LaMar Payton

 1939-2014

 “Life Teacher with Laughter and Song”

Our beloved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather Wilbur LaMar Payton passed away peacefully due to natural causes Wednesday May 7, 2014 surrounded by his children.  He was 75 years old.

Born February 7, 1939 in Ogden, Utah to Jack David Payton and Marvilla Christine Rutherford, Wilbur was the eldest of six children. 

Married in Provo, Dec 19, 1958, and later sealed in the LDS Temple in Hawaii, December 15th 1962, to his life friend and wife LaRee Gardner. A blind date leading to a 50 year journey with the first true love of his life, he and LaRee built their family, with core values supported by the corner stone of the LDS Church and close friendships made as a consequence of LaMar’s 20 year career and service in the United States Navy. 

LaMar loved to learn anything and everything technological and work with his hands throughout his career in serving in the US Navy for 20 years, working in the high technology industry and in his years as a civil servant. As a combat veteran of both the Korean and Vietnam Wars he maintained Avionics on attack aircraft deployed from the USS CONSTELLATION Aircraft Carrier (CV-64) and achieved the highest rank a non-commissioned officer could obtain, CPO-E7, retiring after 20 years of service to his country. In high technology and with the US Navy he had opportunity to travel the world and see and experience many different cultures and loved to meet and work with many different people.

While his career was a supporting element in his life, his first love clearly was directed to his family and friends. Without doubt, quick wit and a very heavy dose of humor always pervaded in his love of: cooking, Scouting, nature (fishing, camping, hiking, rafting, etc.), Arts and Crafts; always including family and friends in his antics, giving without hesitation or judgment and always touching those around him to the deepest level without any expectations in return. If you were teased, tickled, tricked, experienced his prankster stand- up comedy or even serenaded with his power of music, you know and love LaMar’s first love in life that drove his devious smile.

LaMar is survived by his children, Dennis Payton of San Jose, CA, Stephen (Denise) Payton of Layton, UT, Karey (Michael) McDonald of Layton and Angelia Payton of Colorado.  LaMar was blessed with 11 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews and many friends all of whom he loved dearly.  He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Gerald.  He will be greatly missed by all those who loved this fine man.

Funeral service will be held Saturday, May 10, 2014 at 2 p.m. at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Road.  Friends may visit family Saturday from 12:45 to 1:45 p.m. at the mortuary.  Interment, Lindquist’s Memorial Park at Layton, 1867 No. Fairfield Road.