John Keith Barton

John Keith Barton (94) of Beaver, Utah returned to his heavenly home on June 3, 2023. Keith was born March 28, 1929 to Jesse and Hazle Barton in Greenville, Utah. He graduated from Beaver High School and went on to attend BAC where he met the love of his life, Maxine, in a dance class. From that initial meeting he said, "from then on it was only Maxine." They were married December 27, 1950 and later sealed in the St. George, Utah Temple July 14, 1956. Keith spent the first year of their marriage in active military duty in the Korean War, fighting in the famous battle of Kapyong, later receiving a special commendation for his valor. After returning home from Korea, they moved to California until Keith was discharged from the service. They came home to Beaver County splitting time between Beaver and Greenville, before Keith completed their family home in Beaver where they lived the rest of their lives, raising their five children and a large posterity including 37 grand, great, and great-great grandkids.
Keith was an avid reader, hunter, golfer, sports enthusiast and trusted counselor by so many, especially during his years as branch manager of First Interstate in Beaver. Although he was always pleased to learn from others, he was largely a self-taught man who always studied problems trying to identify the best way to navigate them. Whether that was advice for his children or using his incredible talent for creating beautiful hand-crafted rifle stocks from a lone block of wood. He worked a number of jobs taking care to learn from each experience including: Geneva Steel, the US Department of Agriculture, Ron's Chevrolet, and First Interstate Bank; even being invited to pitch for the Minnesota Twins, but he turned the opportunity down in order to fulfill his military responsibilities. Whatever he did, he gave it his all.
In addition to his vocational pursuits, Keith spent a great deal of time studying scriptures and sharing his knowledge and perspective with other church members in a host of callings ranging from the Bishopric to finance clerk to auditor; but his favorite was teaching priesthood, gospel doctrine and temple prep. His lessons often spilled over into the hallway, after church or during home teaching visits. He found great value in absorbing those principles, focusing on helping all kinds of people, especially those who were down on their luck. He often said that the most important thing you can do in this life is to be nice to other people. He dearly loved his family looking forward to spending time with them hunting, talking, laughing, and enjoying God's richest blessings.
Despite a host of interests, one of his deepest passions was his violin. He began playing at age five and became an accomplished violinist in the Southern Utah Orchestra. He shared his talent at countless wedding receptions and funerals, but his most cherished venue was at home where he could be accompanied by his talented daughter, Denise.
Keith is survived by son Bill (Kim) of Mansfield, Texas, son, Paul (Deana) of Beaver, Utah, daughter Denise of Las Vegas, Nevada, son Tom (Kristi) of Kanab, Utah and Matt (Carlynn) of Enoch, Utah. He is preceded in death by his eternal companion, Maxine.
Viewing will be held Friday June 9, 2023 from 6 to 8 pm at Southern Utah Mortuary (195 North 200 West, Beaver, UT) and Saturday June 10, 2023 from 9:30-10:30 am at the Beaver 3rd Ward Chapel (220 North Main, Beaver, UT). Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am at the Beaver 3rd Ward Chapel. Interment will take place at the Greenville, Utah Cemetery.