Our beloved father, grandfather, and great grandfather, LaVern Wesley Colton, 86, passed away August 12, 2010, in Malad City, Idaho. He was born on December 31, 1923, in Alhambra, California, he was the second of six children born to Joseph J. and Hazel Lundy Colton.
As a child he lived in a one room home at the ranch. Early on Vern helped his father by herding sheep, and milking cows. He enjoyed spending time riding his horse in the surrounding mountains. He did a lot of exploring and hunting. Vern attended School in Malad. When his father became sick from injuries sustained in WWI he became the full time farmer. He drove tractor and did a lot of custom cutting. At 16 he started to break horses for extra money. Vern had a very strong work ethic and did everything 110%.
At 20 he was inducted into the Army at Fort Douglas in Salt Lake City, Utah. He trained at Camp Roberts in California in Scouting and Intelligence. He spent time at Pearl Harbor, the Marshal Islands, Leyte Island in the Philippines, Zamboango, and Japan.
After the Army Vern went to a technical training school and studied welding, auto and diesel mechanics. This was very useful in his work as a farmer.
In the summer of 1948 Vern met Joyce Thorpe at a dance. He asked her to dance and their relationship grew from there. They were married the next spring on April 8, 1949. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Logan LDS Temple on May 16, 1950. They spent 60 years together working and raising a family of six children.
LaVern had a love for the Book of Mormon. He was re-introduced to it by Joyce while they were dating and she answered many questions. The Book of Mormon became his book. He grew very knowledgeable and answered our questions. He had a strong testimony of the Gospel and served in many church callings including first counselor in the bishopric, stake MIA counselor, stake superintendant of the MIA, ward missionary, and a member of the High Council.
Vern worked every day of his life. He loved the ranch and spent countless hours doing the duties of a farmer. He worked hard to make the ranch a gathering place for his family by building a beautiful camping and picnic area. We built many memories being together. Vern was a loving grandfather and great grandfather. He teased, played, and truly loved us all. We adored our gruff grandpa. In his later years he enjoyed working on his lathe making decorative wood vases and bowls. He excelled in braiding reigns and bridals for horses. He also enjoyed riding his 4-wheeler and gardening.
LaVern was preceded in death by his loving wife, Joyce Thorpe Colton; his parents Joseph and Hazel Colton; his siblings Phyllis Perkins, Betty Davis, Joyce Draper, Hazel Dean Barfus, and Stanley Colton; and son Mark L. Colton.
He is survived by his children David L. Colton of Malad, Joseph W. (Nancy) Colton of Big Piney, Wy., Roger L. (Michele) Colton of Oceanside Ca., Linda (Jay) Brown of Malad, and Paul D. (Julie) Colton of Malad; also 17 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, August 17, 2010 at 12:00 noon in the Malad LDS 3rd Ward Chapel. Friends may visit with the Colton family on Monday evening form 6:00-8:00p.m. at the Horsley Funeral Home, 132 W 300 N., and again Tuesday morning from 10:30-11:30a.m. prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Pleasantview Cemetery.