Richard Harold Layton

Richard Harold Layton, 77, of Taylor passed away July 24, 2006 at the Good Samaritan Center in Idaho Falls.  

Richard was born 13 August, 1928 in Ogden, Utah to Harold Hall Layton and Myrtle Grace Montgomery Layton. He was raised farming with horses, milking Jersey cows and riding horses, an idyllic life for a boy. He moved to the Idaho Falls area with his family in 1945 and graduated from Idaho Falls High School in 1946. He attended one semester at Utah State University and participated in ROTC. He then served in the Western Canada mission, living in various parts of Alberta and British Colombia.  

Richard married Marva Christiansen in the Idaho Falls temple June 15th, 1951. They lived briefly in Fort Saint James, British Columbia before settling in the Taylor, Idaho area where they have lived for the last 52 years.  

Richard was employed at the Idaho National Laboratory for over 35 years as a chemical operator and a machinist.   Richard was a craftsman; he built muzzle loading rifles, chipped arrow heads, painted beautiful oil paintings, worked with leather, made wooden toys for grandkids and neighbors, enjoyed blacksmithing and made silver and turquoise jewelry. He participated in black powder shooting matches, often winning awards and was an avid traditional archer. He loved history and horses and will long be remembered driving his buggy around the Taylor area.   He and Marva traveled extensively, visiting hundreds of historical and interesting sites over the years.  

Richard was a member of the LDS church and held the office of High Priest. He served as Sunday School president, MIA president and Cub Scout chairman.  

He is survived by his wife and sons Monte Layton, Chris (Susan) Layton of Taylor and Robert Layton of Idaho Falls, a brother, Frank (Lynette) Layton of Taylor and a sister, Betty (Lyle) Reynolds of Garland, Utah. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.  

He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Joanne Pearson and a daughter, Merilee Layton.  

Funeral services will be held 11:00 A.M Thursday July 27th. at the Taylor Ward Chapel (1101 East 1250 North) with Bishop Kenneth Fielding conducting.   The family will receive friends Wednesday evening 7:00 till 8:30 P.M. at the Nalder Funeral Home (110 West Oak) in Shelley and Thursday morning 9:30 till 10:40 A.M. at the church.  Interment will be in the Taylor Cemetery. 

His grandkids loved him and will miss him.