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Show Volume XXIV Issue VI The Ogden Valley news Page 7 April 1, 2017 Announcements Obituaries Gerald B. (Jerry) Layton Gone Fishin’, Farmin’ and Flyn’ Gerald B. (Jerry) Layton, age 86, died at home March 10, 2017. He was born in Layton, Utah February Gerald Layton 22, 1931 to Opal Hartzog and James A. Layton. He lived and worked in Layton, Roy, Huntsville, Ogden, and Snowville, Utah; West Yellowstone, Montana; Malad Idaho; and Morristown, Arizona. Highlights of our dads eventful life include: Shining shoes at age 9 for the soldier boys arriving in town at the Union Station in Ogden. His corner was 25th St. and Grant Ave. He built his shoe shine box out of an old picket fence at his mother’s apartment on Grant Ave. When he’d made enough money, he walked up to JC Penney Co. on Washington Blvd. and bought himself his 1st pair of brand new shoes. He moved to Roy with his Mom and (best step Dad anyone could ever wish for) George Sarris. He worked long, hard hours on the farm alongside George and his little brother Bill. At age 12 he rented farmland and raised his own crop of sugar beets, and by the time he was 13 he was driving George’s old dump truck loaded with sugar beets (never minding he couldn’t see over the steering wheel) to the beet dump in Roy. He spent his school years in Davis County where he wrestled and took 2nd place in the state wrestling competition for Davis High School. He joined Future Farmers of America and entered four random chickens he chased and caught in the barnyard, washed them with soap and water in the boy’s locker room at school, and took 1st place! He joined the U.S. Air Force at age 19 and was schooled as a master aircraft electrician, surprising himself, as he was challenged with dyslexia. He served as a Korean War veteran and was honorably discharged He was the husband of Faye Bowen Layton for 63 years, and father of four sons: Kirk B., Kipp Gerald, Kenneth Ted, and KC Layne Layton. He drove a semi for Swift & Co. for 15 years where he lugged sides of beef on his shoulders weighing up to 450 lbs. He drove narrow roads to Los Angeles and Chicago with no air condition, just a block of ice under his feet. He knocked off many a rearview mirror along the way, but always carried a spare. His heart and diabetes disease challenged him but he continued to be a farmer of corn, alfalfa, mink, cattle, calves and Faye’s Funny Farm in Huntsville for over 30 years. He drove a bulldozer for Durbano Metals as a firefighter and on train derailments. He also drove a pallet truck for Bowen Enterprises. For many years, dad drove truck delivering beautifully decorated Christmas trees for the Festival of Trees for Primary Children’s Hospital. He and mom delivered the trees as far away as Evanston, Wyoming—even in a blizzard. Additionally, he assisted her in the Child Advocacy program (CASA) of which she was so grateful. He volunteered for the Huntsville Town July 4th celebration, and even the Valley School PTA. He was a baptized member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and participated in the Huntsville 1st Ward. He could cook up a tasty pizza burger, pizza, and spaghetti with his wife and four sons right along with him. Oh . . . those Zebs salads and dressings. Special thanks to the many respected employees. He was a landlord of rentals, and with the expertise of his father-in-law Vern C. Bowen, he was a remodeler and builder of homes (two in Huntsville) where we lived, loved, and worked for 30 years. He rebuilt a 1946 Stinson airplane and left us with terrifying memories of his short runway landings in the backyard. He was a fly fisherman of rainbow trout in the Madison River, and a hunter of game along with a couple of sons and his springer spaniels. He would sing along to songs from his favorite country artists, and enjoyed western dancing but would still let mom drag him to the many big band dances at the church houses and Varianne dances at Weber State College. His favorite sports were anything BYU and don’t forget the Dallas Cowboys. His favorite last two adopted cats are Thelma, who helped him brush his teeth and put him to bed every night; and Gus (no tail), who’s missing him terribly. His favorite hangouts were the Auger Inn at the Ogden Airport with his friends and family, Chris’ in Huntsville, and Mollies in Snowville. He is survived by his wife; sons Kirk B., North Ogden, Kipp (Cher) Roy, Kenneth (Traci) Chandler, AZ, and KC (Kristi) of North Ogden; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and ten step grands. Also, brothers Dan (Ann), Layton UT; Bill (Jan), Windham, Maine; sisters Della Burg, West Covina, CA; and Nancy (David) Reinitz, St. George, UT.; sister-in-law Bonnie Durbano Burtenshaw, Layton UT; and brother- and sister-in-law Gary and Mignon Bowen, Peterson, UT. and Susan Barker Layton, St. George, UT. He is preceded in death by his parents and step dad George Sarris; sister Maidie Layton Beck; in-laws Vern and Gertrude Bowen; brothers-in-law Ed Beck, Ralph Burg, Ernie Durbano and Claude Burtenshaw; as well as cats “Goner” and “The Kid” and dogs “Daisy Mae,” “Clem Skadiddlehopper,” and “Buster.” Thanks to Jerry’s many nurses, physicians, PA’s, pharmacists, hospitals, and the affable Dr. Brent Williams. You kept him comfortable and seeing for thirty years of his illnesses. Also, thank you to our never-before-had, 6-month daughter Stephanie Reed of Legacy Hospice Health Care, and to his big brother Dan for care given to our dad when you were children. Our dad suffered with heart disease, diabetes, and glaucoma. He lived and survived every day with dyslexia. Not all disabilities are physical and visible and not all who have won against the odds are well-known celebrities. Every family has its own heroes and heroines for whom there is no medal distinguished enough to reward them for their accomplishments. We, his sons, honor our dad for his perseverance. You overcame and we are inspired. Rest easy dad. You deserve it. Family and friends were invited for a visitation Saturday, March 18, 2017 at Myers Mortuary, 845 Washington Blvd, Ogden, UT. Interment at Evergreen Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, a memorial in Jerry’s name is requested to: INTERMOUNTAIN FOUNDATION PRIMARY CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL PO BOX 55249 SLC UT 84158-0249 Condolences may be sent to the family at <www.myers-mortuary.com> Deceased Robert Clark Watson, 80, died March 7, 2017. Kathryn Bench Weir, 76, died March 11, 2017. Conrad James Steverson, 66, died March 12, 2017. Gladys Leah Fisher Taylor, 98, died March 18, 2017. Otis Carl Larson Jr., 83, died March 14, 2017. Raymond Keith Merriam March 12, 1958 ~ March 17, 2017 Raymond Keith Merriam passed away suddenly on March 17, 2017 from natural causes, at the age of 59. He was born Raymond Merriam March 12, 1958 in Hemet, California to Robert and Violet Merriam. He married the love of his life, Leslie Ann Merriam, November 13, 1981. Together they raised six children. He was a loan officer at Citywide Home Loans. One of his great loves was his instructional Youtube channel, “Your Produce Guy” where he taught about produce and how to cook with it. He enjoyed beekeeping, gardening, the Utah Jazz, playing basketball, and studying Jack Val Stoker “Gravel Jack” December 2, 1937 - March 15, 2017 Jack was born December 2, 1937 in Tooele, Utah to Carl R. Stoker and Mary Alice Bracken Stoker. He died March 15, 2017 in Grant, Nebraska. His family moved to Huntsville, Utah where he was raised and lived most of his life. He attended Ogden Valley schools and graduated from Weber High School in 1956. He married Verlayne Richardson September 19, 1958. Together they had two sons. They were later divorced but remained friends. He started working for the Utah Dept. of Transportation in 1958, and worked there until his retirement. He had his own construction company, “Stoker and Sons Construction,” and was lovingly known as “Gravel Jack.” He was an honest, hardworking man. He enjoyed hunting in his younger years, was a good dancer, and loved any and all auctions! He married Rosemary Hayden December 30, 1984. They then moved to Nebraska and split their time between Utah and Nebraska. They enjoyed the “get-togethers” with Jack’s history. He loved anything spicy, especially Mexican food. He was a Scoutmaster and enjoyed scouting. He loved vacationing and most of all, he loved people, especially his family. He loved his Savior and spent many hours serving in various callings. He went above and beyond for those he had stewardship over in his church callings and in the community. He is survived by his parents, his wife, and his children—Ashley (Andy) Wright, Andy (Becky) Merriam, Michael (Heather) Merriam, Rachel (Danny) Stephens, Blake, and ShaeLynn Merriam. He adored his 15 grandchildren: Parker, Rylie, Brooklyn, Bridger, Porter, Haylee, Heidi, Trevor, Ethan, Elizabeth, Olivia, Alex, Evelyn, Hyrum, and Tucker. Funeral services were held Saturday, March 25, 2017 in the North Ogden 17th Ward. Raymond is buried at the Evergreen Memorial Park in Ogden, Utah. Condolences may be sent to the family at <www.myers-mortuary.com> brother and sisters. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Janice; brother-in-law Russell Drummond; and grandson Mitchell K. Stoker. He is survived by his wife; sons Val J. Stoker (Susan) and Jeff L. Stoker (Wendy); seven grandchildren; one great-granddaughter and one great-grandson and two more greats on their way; his brother Jim Stoker (Sue); sisters Esther Drummond and Jolene Anderson (Cliff); and Rosemary’s family: Mary Melody Deaver (John); five grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. Over the past several years, Jack (also known as “Gravel Jack”) had survived chronic lymphocytic leukemia, throat cancer, atrial fib, diabetes, at least two major car accidents, and hypothermia. He recently had troubles swallowing due to the side effects of the radiation he received for the throat cancer and developed aspiration pneumonia. He was recovering from this when he suffered a severe stroke. For the past week he has been unconscious. Our prayers were answered and he passed away peacefully. The family is grateful for all the prayers in his and our families’ behalf. I’m grateful for my step family who has been caring for him, especially Jill Deaver Johnson, who has unceasingly been by his side making sure he has been comfortable and pain free. I will definitely miss him and his funny sense of humor and the unique way he had of saying things! Love you dad! Funeral services were held in Grant, Nebraska Tuesday, March 21, 2017 at Bullock-Long Funeral Home. Interment in the Grant Fairview Cemetery. A celebration of Jack’s life will be held in Ogden Valley in the near future. Applicants Sought for Ogden Valley Planning Commission The Weber County Commissioners are taking applications for the Ogden Valley Planning Commission. The Ogden Valley Planning Commission meets on the 1st and 4th Tuesday of each month at 4:30 p.m. Special meetings may be scheduled throughout the year. Please drop off your completed application at the Weber County Planning Division office, 2380 Washington Blvd., Suite 240, Ogden, Utah. Applications will be accepted until April 14, 2017. |