Irvin "Bud" Layton

Irvin Clay Bud Layton 1924-2011

Irvin Clay Bud Layton, age 86, passed away surrounded by his loving wife and children at home on January 21, 2011, in West Bountiful, Utah, of complications relating to chronic congestive heart failure and diabetes. He was born November 9, 1924, in Woods Cross, Utah, to Esther Stella Clay and James Irvin Layton. Like hundreds of young men during World War II, at the age of 18, Bud joined the United States Navy, where he served honorably in the Asiatic Pacific Theater for three years. After returning home from the war, he married his Eternal Sweetheart and Companion, Helen Gunn, of Salt Lake City, Utah, on April 24, 1946, in the Salt Lake Temple. Together, they raised four wonderful children, James Gary Jim, Mary Ellen, Judy Ann, and David Gunn. In 1952, because of the Korean Conflict, his Army Reserve Unit, 115th Engineer Combat Battalion, was called to active duty stateside at Camp McCoy, Wisconsin, and Fort Belvoir, Virginia, where he served honorably with rank of SFC (Sergeant First Class). Buds practical knowledge and work experience was varied and valuable to his family and community. He was a very successful do-it-yourself man, which saved substantial sums of money for his family and the cities and other business entities for which he worked. He served for many years as a volunteer fireman for the South Davis Fire Department. He was a police officer for Bountiful City before being hired by West Bountiful City as its Police Chief, Water Master, and Animal Control Official. The most rewarding part of his work as West Bountiful City Police Chief was assuring the safety of the children leaving West Bountiful Elementary every school day as they crossed the busy intersection at 400 North and 800 West. The children all called him Bud. He created a great relationship with the children in this capacity, as well as working actively with the school as the citys child safety advocate. He spent many hours teaching the children in their classrooms, encouraging them to choose good friends and to be good friends, to live substance free, and to find peaceful solutions. He taught them the principles of honesty, respect, and good citizenship. The children of West Bountiful loved Bud, and he loved them. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was an integral part of Buds life as a dedicated husband and father. He was an active member and served in various callings, including Home Teacher, Bishopric, and Stake Sunday School. Bud and Helen loved planning camping trips and traveling together with his 1972 classic Chevy step-side pickup and travel trailer. His hobbies included playing the harmonica, especially with the Harmonicats, a musical group that entertained locally, which included several harmonica players, guitarists, and vocalists. Everyone that knew Bud was aware of his love for guns. He often told the story of his love affair with Helen. When he found out that her last name was Gunn, his concerns about who he was supposed to marry were over forever. No doubt about itBud loved all his guns; but he loved, and still loves, his Helen Gunn the most. Almost 65 years of marriage proves his story to be true. The only thing that surpassed his love for firearms was the respect he had for them. He always taught that a gun is only as safe as its handler. He was actively involved for many years in teaching gun safety classes to citizens and scout troops throughout Davis County. Bud is survived by his sweetheart, Helen; four children: James Gary (Sandy), Mary Ellen Toone, Judy Ann Jones (Daniel Jr.), David Gunn (Cariann); fifteen grandchildren: Tina (Todd), Brandon (Destiny), Adam (LauraLee), Marcy, Aaron (Melisa), Valerie (Jordan), Joshua (Karin), Chris (Susan), Trixie, Tammie (Bryan), Derek (Jill), Walker (Deserae), Sarah (Brett), Marianne (Kris), Leigh (Bruce); thirty-eight great-grandchildren: Tiffany (Mitch), Tawny, Tessa, Konnie, Ashley, Monica, Ara Marie, Shayleigh,Tyrae, Jeremy, Chelsea, Danny , Emalee, Kaylee, Ashlee, Jesse, Wesley, Alex, Samuel, Jacob, Allie Jo, Kellie (Brandon), Kinsie, K.C., Connor, Kyler, Niko, Hailee, Aycie, Madalyn, Ryker, Cole, Karter, Harmony, Sawyer, Anson, Heber, Isaac; three great-great-grandchildren: Braylee, Jaxton, Ridge; two sisters: Rachel Cleone Baker Noyes and Viola Call. Irvin Clay Bud Layton is predeceased by his parents, Esther Stella Clay and James Irvin Layton; three brothers-in-law: Thel Baker and Lynn Noyes (Rachel), Dean Call (Viola); one grandson: Jonathan Toone; one grandson-in-law: Craig Ralph Jewett (Marcy). We will greatly miss the physical influence of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great-grandfatherhis silly stories and songs, the nostalgic annual performance of White Christmas by himself on the harmonica and Mom at the piano, the common interest and concern he had for each member of his large, growing family, and especially his deep desire to serve and support us all with his priesthood. Certainly his love and commitment will continue to bless us in the spiritual dimension of which he is now a part. Thanks for all you have taught us and done for us, Daddy. We love you forever, no matter what. Stay close. Services will be held at 11:00 am, Thursday, January 27, 2011 at the West Bountiful 1st Ward, 311 N 800 W, West Bountiful. Friends may call Wednesday from 6:00-8:00 pm at the Russon Brothers Bountiful Mortuary, 295 N. Main, and Thursday from 9:45-10:45 am at the church prior to services. Interment Lakeview Cemetery. Online guestbook at www.russonmortuary.com. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the LDS Church perpetual education fund.