John Todd Rushton

Up in the mountains on a beautiful calm day surrounded by snowy pine trees, our stalwart and loving husband and father, J. Todd Rushton, returned to his heavenly home. With ski boots on he was off on another adventure. There in the peace of the outdoors and the arms of his son, he suffered a heart attack. We are grateful to our Father in Heaven for the peaceful way he was able to go and, though it would never be enough, for the time we spent with this wonderful man.

His time here on earth began November 27, 1964. Son of John Walter Rushton and Maysel Epling Rushton. They instilled in him a love for travel and the world. He grew up in the Philippines, California, and Utah. Meeting and marrying his Bountiful High School sweetheart, Julie Tweed, on July 12, 1986. For work he was able to travel the world as a mining consultant. Though he loved new food and new places his heart was always home with us. As circumstances in the world changed he chose a new career path in order to be closer to his family and became an intellectual property attorney. This new life course created many more opportunities to hunt, fish, camp and enjoy the great outdoors where he showed his children the love of their Heavenly Father through His beautiful creations.

Our husband and father never missed an opportunity to bring us along on an adventure. And the moments we spent with him were filled with life lessons and quiet testimonies. He didn’t just do something, he did it with his whole heart. It could be said his ears failed him before his heart did.  He was an artist; his fishing was beautiful, his story telling painted a canvas, and his food was divine. He gardened with his soul. He played racquetball with life saving intensity.

Since his passing we have had the wonderful opportunity to see his reach. We always knew our father was a superhero. We just didn’t know how many other people knew it too. He was the best Bumpa any boy or girl could have dreamt of. He loved reading stories, cuddle time, and bringing them outside. Todd was a fantastic uncle, harassing his nieces and nephews and bringing them along too. Everyone was welcome “up the hill” and he gave nicknames, for better or worse, to all who came into the house.

And he loved. Oh, how he loved. He showed love in the way he served others. You could often find him reaching out to neighbors, teaching scouts, feeding an army, or fixing something. He showed love for his sweetheart each day looking after the yard and the house. Tenderly taking care of his aging mother. He had a way of making each of his children, grandchildren, and grand-puppies feel like they individually were his favorite.

He was the glue that brought us together. He was our pillar when we needed it most, our true north when we were lost, and our warmth when times called for love and a hug to bring us home.

It’s hard to fit a life this big on a page. J. Todd Rushton is preceded in death by his father and parents-in-law. Survived by his mother, by his wife and sweetheart of 34 years, and their four children; Jordan (W. Robert) McLaughlin, Madison (Collin) Garey, Andrew (Rachael) and Isaac. He leaves behind 5 loved pups and 6 (soon to be 9) grandchildren who all dream of growing up just like their Bumpa.