Keith T. Layton passed away Sunday, February 25, 1996.
Keith was born December 8, 1918 in Burley, Idaho. He grew up in the farm fields of Kaysville, Utah with his mother, Fanny Thackham Layton and siblings, Ewa, Homer, Beverly, and Lawrence. His father, Lawrence Robert Layton, died when Keith was eight years old and as the eldest son, he became the "man" of the farm. Very early in life he learned to work hard, give of himself and provide for a family.Keith served on an aircraft carrier in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was later called on an LDS mission to the New England States. After his return, he married his sweetheart, Ellen Louise Weir, in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Keith and Ellen raised their four children in Salt Lake City.
He graduated Trade Tech (Salt Lake Community College), where he was skilled in the art of finish carpentry, and was the student body president and the Alumni president. He was an accomplished wood craftsman and carpenter, and loved sharing his talent and expertise with others.
He was active in his church and his community. He served in a number of bishoprics and was called to be a patriarch at the age of 42. He and Ellen served a mission in Portland, Oregon.
Keith loved sports: as a coach of Little League Baseball, as a participant of golf, bowling, baseball and basketball, and as a spectator of all sports. He loved traveling and made friends around the globe with his handshake full of "chips," his open, friendly manner, and his genuine love of people. He was truly an ambassador to the world.
He is survived by his wife, Ellen; his children and their partners, Scott "Sikoki" Layton and Richard Gonzales, Dean and Kay (Nighsonger) Layton, Lee Ann Layton-Burns, and Bob Burns; Chris and Richele (Filippi) Layton. He was a loving grandpa to Lynzi, Michael, Bronson, Aubri, Rachel, Brittnee, Colby and Ryan.
He will be dearly missed by all of us whose lives he touched.
Funeral services will be Thursday, February 29, at 12 noon, in the Millcreek 2nd Ward Chapel, 4220 South 420 East. Friends and family may call at Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary, 4760 South State, on Wednesday evening 6-8 p.m. or at the ward chapel on Thursday, one hour prior to services. Interment will be at Elysian Gardens.
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