Gerald Jorgensen Orton

1940 - 2023

Gerald Jorgensen Orton

06/01/1940 ~

09/30/2023

Salt Lake City, UT - Gerald Jorgensen Orton (Jerry) beloved Father, Grandfather and Great Grandfather left this earth peacefully September 30, 2023 with all of his children surrounding him in his home. Jerry was a strong and resilient spirit and valiantly fought a long battle with cancer. While we grieve his passing, we rejoice that he has returned to his heavenly home where he is reunited with the love of his life, his eternal sweetheart, and wife of 52 years, Donna Lucille Unthank, who preceded him in death. She had told him "Jerry, I will go ahead and get everything ready for you". We envision that she is showing him around and that they are dancing the jitterbug once again. Jerry was born on June 1, 1940 in Cedar City, Utah to Clarissa and Alton (Pat) Orton. He was the second of seven children. Jerry was a talented athlete in both track and basketball. He played center at Granite high school where he earned the nick names "Big O" and "The Pivot Man". He was recruited to attend Southern Utah University on an athletic scholarship where he played collegiate basketball. He married Donna Lucille Unthank on Aug. 17, 1962, in the Manti Utah Temple. Jerry and Donna had a blessed life with three children Mike, (Penny), Shawn, (Charisse), and Jaime (Russ). As a" family first" man, he was the proud grandfather of nine grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren… all of whom adored their Grandpa Jerry. Jerry was a self made man, who while courting Donna, built their home in Bennion, Utah. This is where they raised their family and resided for the rest of their earthly lives. Family was his #1 priority so he oversaw the building of the "E Orton Retreat" cabin, which became a gathering place for many memory building moments. Jerry cherished all family time and taught his children to love the great outdoors with boating, fishing, snowmobiling, hunting, four wheeling and camping. He modeled and taught his children the value of hard work, and respecting the Orton name. The majority of his professional life was spent in management at Kennecott Copper Company where he made many friends and was highly respected. Jerry lived an energetic and active lifestyle. He loved traveling to Lake Powell, Europe and tropical Islands. He was a man on the go and was still slalom waterskiing well into his 70's. Jerry had a strong testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ and was not afraid to share that with family, neighbors, and friends. He served in various church callings, his most beloved calling was that of ward missionary. Additionally, he and Donna blessed the lives of many, with a service mission in the Salt Lake area. We will miss his words of wisdom, his lengthy handwritten birthday cards, the "grandpa advice hotline", his bear hugs and how he showed up 'big time' to all family gatherings. Preceded in death by wife, Donna, parents, brothers Elton and Kenneth. Survived by his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and 4 beloved sisters - Mary Farnes, Carol Allen, Patty Wright, and Jan Orton.

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