Ralph Maurice Horton
1934 ~ 2017
On Thursday, March 30, 2017 heaven gained a valiant servant while earth lost one of its finest, Ralph Maurice Horton. A loving husband, father, grandpa, great-grandpa, brother, uncle and friend succumbed to the cancer that had plagued his body for a little over three years. Ralph was born to Ralph Orien Horton and Shirley Hooton Horton in Salt Lake City on October 4, 1934. He was the oldest of four boys.
He graduated from Murray High School in 1952 and completed a bachelor's degree in 1957 followed by a PhD in Metallurgical Engineering in 1961, both from the University of Utah. He served in the military from 1957 until 1969 when he was honorably discharged. During this service he was a member of the ROTC at the University of Utah, a Commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army, a 1st Lieutenant, a Captain, and a member of the US Army Reserve Corp of Engineers.
He married his true love and eternal companion, Mildred Vowles on July 14, 1961 in the Salt Lake Temple. He and Mildred raised 6 children, five sons and one daughter: Brian (Heather), Carl-deceased (Jessica), Ken (Wendy), Rod (Margaret), Gary (Kristi), and Cindi. His family was his world and meant everything to him.
Ralph taught at Washington State University from 1961-1976 and then moved his family to Idaho Falls, Idaho for a job with INEL (Idaho National Engineering Laboratory) from 1976-1982. He and Mildred then moved their family to Murray, Utah after he took a job with Christensen Diamond Products in 1982 and where he worked until his retirement in 1999. He was outstanding in his profession and credited with several registered patents with the United States Patent Office.
Ralph was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where he served diligently throughout his life including three missions with his wife: the Salt Lake Inner City, Kirkland Historical Sights, and the Intermountain Medical Center. He had most recently been serving as a temple worker in the Jordan River Temple.
Ralph was indeed a genuine, intelligent, kind, and service-oriented individual. He loved the annual Horton Backpack, which he started doing with his dad and brothers in his youth and carried that tradition down through his children and grandchildren. He loved anything involving the outdoors including camping, fishing, and gardening. Ralph kept an immaculate yard and garden. He had a green thumb and wonderful garden which he shared with so many family, friends, and neighbors. Ralph was also a precise handyman, having completed three basements in his own homes, and then assisting his children with the completion of their own basements. He didn't just measure once, he measured three times to make sure everything was accurate before the final cut was made. He was a wonderful listener and always made the effort to speak individually to every person at a family gathering or other social event. His discussions always included a few wise "Ralphisms" which will always be cherished by his family. If you ever needed directions, Ralph would detail everything along the way, including markers such as trees, rocks, and fence posts. No one could get lost with his instructions.
He faithfully supported every possible event he could involving his children and grandchildren. His absence in the stands will be extremely evident. His legacy will live on for many generations as his love permeates the entire family.
He is survived by his wife; children; 23 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; siblings: Duane (Marge), Brent (Mareid-deceased), and Dennis (Soozy); brothers-in-law, Dee Vowles (Wanda-deceased) and Lloyd Vowles (Jane); sister-in-law, Valerie Parker (Earl-deceased); and several nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his parents; son, Carl Blaine Horton; and grandson, Tyler Scott Horton.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, April 6, 2017, at 10:30 am, at the LDS Murray North Stake building, 5200 Glendon Street (700 West 5200 South.) Friends may express condolences at a viewing Wednesday evening, April 5th at the Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary, 4760 S. State Street in Murray, from 6 pm-8 pm or 9 am-10 am at the church prior to the funeral. Interment will be at the Murray Cemetery.
The family would like to express extreme gratitude to Dr. Antanackovic and his staff, Janet Weidner, and Mary Steinbach, as well as the nurses at Clinic 3C BMT Multiple Myeloma at the Huntsman Center for their concern, love, empathy, and kindness.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that you consider donating in Ralph's name to the Huntsman Cancer Foundation, specifically towards Multiple Myeloma, 500 Huntsman Way Salt Lake City, UT 84108. Share online condolences @ www.jenkins soffe.com.
Published in Salt Lake Tribune on Apr. 2, 2017