Robert Ray Easton, 83, of Orem Utah passed away peacefully at his home on June 15, 2023 surrounded by family. He was born October 2, 1939, in Beaver Utah, the second son of Robert Ray and Norma Jensen Easton. He married Catherine Madge Pearce on May 24,1962 in the St. George LDS temple. Together they had 7 children (their youngest Jodi passed away at he early age of ?), 25 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. This posterity was his greatest source of joy in life.

Growing up in Beaver, Utah Robert had a cherished childhood with his brother and best friend Richard, hunting, riding horses and fishing at Puffer Lake. He was always busy and never balked at a hard day's work; a character trait that so deeply defined his life. From cleaning out fish hatchery ponds to changing the reels at the local movie theater, he worked from a young age and never stopped.

After graduating from Beaver High School in 1957, Robert started college in Cedar City at the College of Southern Utah and then moved to the University of Utah before ultimately graduating from Utah State University in 1962 with a degree in Range Management.

Upon graduation, he combined his love for the outdoors and his degree in range management by accepting a job with the United States Forest Service. Robert worked tirelessly in his chosen career for 41 years until his retirement in 2003.

He received many accolades for his knowledge of the forest and his ability to bring people together in order to accomplish what needed to be done. Throughout his life, Robert loved horses. His career with the forest service allowed him to continue riding horses through the mountains and trails he enjoyed so much. He was loved and admired by all those with whom he worked.

Robert was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. His lifetime of loving service to others was demonstrated through the numerous callings he held, including serving as Bishop, bishopric counselor, high counselor, temple worker and numerous callings with the youth and the scouting program. He also loved sports and coached many teams. He served the members of his ward and stake in many ways and lived his life in a manner that always reflected the kind and righteous man that he was.

He assisted the widowed, ministered to the sick and afflicted, spent countless hours with the youth and never passed up an opportunity to serve his family, neighbors, friends and anyone that needed him.

Robert is survived by his wife Madge, and 6 children: Kristen Lee Williams (Larry) of West Point Utah; Kari Lynn Keck (Dan) of Iona, Idaho; Lori Anne Christensen (Devin) of Inkom, Idaho; Lynette Fowler (Kip) of Pleasant Grove, Utah; Robert Jeff Easton (Jennifer) of Highland, Utah; Michael Ray Easton (Cindy) of Orem, Utah. Robert is also survived by his brother, Richard (Linda), Fort Meyers, Florida, 24 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents Ray and Norma, his infant daughter Jodi, grand daughter Tessa Marie Fowler and son-in-law Larry Williams.

Funeral services will be held Friday, June 23, 2023 at 1:00 pm in the Lakeridge 5th Ward LDS Chapel located at 950 South 50 East, Orem, Utah. The viewing for family and friends will be held from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm prior to the service. Burial will be in the Pleasant Grove Cemetery

Robert and Madge in 1992

The Following is the Sketch of her Dad's Life from his funeral
Given by his oldest daughter Kristen Easton Williams

Robert Ray Easton Jr was born October 2, 1939, in Beaver Utah to Robert Ray and Norma Jensen Easton. He was given a name of which he was very proud, being named after his father Robert Ray Easton and great grandfather Robert Easton, who was the first Bishop of Greenville.

As many of you know, Dad grew up in Beaver Utah. One of his childhood homes was a farm in the canyon near the city horse racing track. He enjoyed living on the farm where he acquired a love for gardening, working outdoors and riding horses. He spent many days helping his father with the farm. He suffered from asthma when he was young which made it hard for him to help out. He used to cry because he couldn't help his dad bring in the hay, and his brother Richard cried because he had to. Dad outgrew the asthma, but allergies followed him the remainder of his life.

He had an exciting childhood in Beaver and was blessed to grow up surrounded by his cousins. They had many great adventures including flying kites near the 9th hole and making the 22 mile ride to puffer lake which is a favorite family fishing and camping area to this day. He was always busy and found great satisfaction in a hard day's work. From cleaning out fish hatchery ponds to changing the reels at the local movie theater, he developed a strong work ethic at a young age and it endured throughout his lifetime. Dad made friends easily and has remained close to his childhood friends Rance Rollins, Cliff Yardley and Gary Pickard. They remained close over the many years of their lives, visiting even up until he was no longer able to communicate easily.

On May 24,1962, he married his high school sweetheart, Catherine Madge Pearce, in the St. George LDS temple. His maternal grandmother, Katie Bell Levi Jensen, who was 84 at the time, attended them in the temple. They made a home in Cedar City, Utah and the following year welcomed the first of seven children into their home.

Robert started college in Cedar City at the College of Southern Utah in 1957. He briefly attended the University of Utah and graduated from Utah State University in 1962 with a degree in range management. While in college, he lived with his brother, Richard, and cousin Clare. The three of them have been life-long friends and had the opportunity to visit one last time, just two weeks before he passed.

Upon graduation from college, he combined his love for the outdoors and his degree in range management and accepted a job with the United States Forest Service. He worked on the Dixie, Bridger, Humboldt and Uinta National Forests over his long and storied career. He received many accolades for his organizational skills, knowledge of the forest, and ability to bring people together in order to accomplish what needed to be done. He won many awards for his performance as a Forest Ranger and received national recognition for the volunteer program he managed which assisted with the construction of the Uinta portion of the Great Western Trail. He was key in implementing the Fee Demo program, charging fees to enter the canyon. As you can imagine, it was not very popular. at first. When people were able to witness the results produced with the money that was collected, they were very impressed with the program and the fees didn't matter quite so much.

From the secretary at his office, to the cattlemen he coordinated grazing rights with in Nevada, he was loved and admired by all those with whom he worked. He dedicated himself to his chosen occupation for 41 years until his retirement in 2003.

Dad was a man of many interests and talents: He was an outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing and hunting but his favorite outdoor activity was working with horses; training, brushing, shoeing, feeding, and especially riding them. He owned and cared for horses his entire life. His family bred and raised generations of a line of horses over the course of his lifetime. Many of you will remember them, as Queen, Lady, Junior, Skipper and Socks played roles in most, if not all, of our childhoods. He spent every opportunity he was given riding the horses he loved and I'm certain it played a decisive part in his choice of careers. Working for the Forest Service, gave him the opportunity to ride his horse over the forest ranges and mountains that he loved so much. He also employed his horse handling skills as a hunting guide leading many hunters to their big game.

Robert on his horse in the mountains

He was a sportsman who enjoyed playing and watching all types of sports. He passed on that love of sports to his children and they to their children. He drove and flew all over the country to watch his children and grandchildren compete in volleyball, basketball, track, softball and football.

He was a spiritual man. He relished opportunities to learn and grow in the gospel. Dad was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and as a high priest he held numerous callings throughout his lifetime including multiple opportunities to serve in the Bishopric and Temple. He served the members of his family, ward and stake in many ways and lived his life in a manner that always reflected the righteous man he was: he shoveled (or plowed) snow around the neighborhood, built access ramps, assisted the widowed, led the youth and performed priesthood blessings. He never passed up an opportunity to serve his family, neighbors, friends or anyone in need. He spent countless hours reading and studying the scriptures and teachings of the prophets and apostles and was always excited to share what he learned with his family and friends.

Finally, and most importantly, Dad was a family man. He loved all of his family, immediate and extended. He cherished opportunities to learn of his ancestors and could sit for hours talking about family history. I'm sure it is not news to anyone here, but he loved his family completely and unconditionally. Family was always his top priority and he was always there for any ballgame, emergency, tragedy or celebration (you know how he loved ice cream).

Our father, husband, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, cousin, uncle and friend, passed away peacefully, June 15th, on his daughter Jodi's birthday, at the age of 83. He died in the home he loved, surrounded by the family he cherished. He will be truly missed by all that knew him.

Madge's parents, Nola and Dave Pearce, Robert and Madge, Robert's parents Ray and Norma Easton

Early Photos of Robert

Photos of Robert during school years

Photos of Robert and his family

THE RANGER
This poem was read by his grandson, Preston Fowler, the son of Kip and Lynnette Easton Fowler

The month was March, 1987 the year, A new Ranger was coming to the District, we did hear.

Robert R. Easton from the Jarbrdige in Idaho, He came to Utah with his wife and kids, and an old mule in tow.

Here to the Pleasant Grove District on the Wasatch Front he came, And since then he's never been the same!

For if he had known what was in store, He'd a stayed in Idaho forever more.

We know it's not been busy and easy job to do, The meetings, politics, and paperwork too.

This job shouldn't be difficult, don't they understand? All we want to do is serve the People and Care for the Land!

His secret weapon that I have found, Is plain and simple, get out on the ground!

It is the work out in the field that makes the difference, Not always being stuck in some meeting or political conference.

This is where Bob has outshined the others, He gets out and works with the employees, just like he's their brother.

He's one of the few Rangers that gets out and rides the trails on his horse, And that's one of his favorite things to do, of course.

And we look up to Bob as he mentors and instructs us, We've learned to be proud to work for the Forest Service.

So, to Madge his loyal and devoted wife, Forgive us for taking up so much of your husband's life.

And to all 6 of his kids that he adores so much, Be proud of your Dad, so many lives he touched.

And as I write down these words full of meaning and rhyme, A special Angel from above comes to mind.

She's the little one that left so young, She won't be forgotten or out done.

To all her Spirit friends with her today, "That's my dad, the Ranger," she'll say.

So as I bring this poem to close, There's something we all want you to know.

It's an understatement, Bob, to say you'll be missed, I choke back a lump in my throat the size of my fist.

So, from all of us, Bob, we bid you a kind farewell, And hope to see you soon, up on the trail.