Kenneth G. Anderton

1937 - 2015

March 18, 1937 ~ October 23, 2015
Kenneth G. Anderton, age 78, passed away in his home on October 23, 2015, in Vernal, Utah. He was born in Roosevelt, Utah on March 18, 1937, to J. Rulon Anderton and Erma Gines Anderton.
Kenneth married Jean Siddoway on June 29th, 1962 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. They were blessed with 53 years of marriage and four beautiful daughters: Michele Anderton, Melanie Anderton Blaser, Camille Anderton Johnston and Angelie Anderton.
After graduating from Union High School, Kenneth attended Utah State University on an academic scholarship. While attending Utah State University he served as the President of the Senior Class and was on the Dean's honor roll. During this time, he also served six years in the Utah National Guard. He graduated from Utah State University with a Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts Degree.
Kenneth taught in the English Department at Utah State University from 1962-1965. He was the Chair of the Department of English at the College of Southern Idaho from 1965-1968. He became the first basketball coach of the College of Southern Idaho.
In 1971, he received his Juris Doctor Degree in Law from the University of Utah. While attending law school he also taught English at the University of Utah. Upon graduation, he moved to Vernal, Utah where he practiced law for 44 years. During this period he was appointed and served as a Circuit Court Judge in the 7th Circuit.
Kenneth was very involved in the community and served as the Vernal City Attorney for six years, President of the Uintah School District Board of Education, President of the Vernal Area Chamber of Commerce, President of the Uintah Basin Bar Association and served on the Utah State Community Impact Board.
Kenneth was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He served a full-time LDS Mission in the Western States Mission from 1957-1959. Later he served as Bishop in the Vernal 7th Ward and as the Stake President of the Vernal Utah Ashley Stake. In whatever capacity he served, he found great joy in lifting and helping others.
Kenneth was a great advocate of higher education and spent countless years serving in positions devoted to educational causes. He was appointed to the Utah State University Board of Trustees in 1983 and served as Chairman. In 1991, he received an appointment to the Utah State Board of Regents (the governing board for the Utah Higher Educational System) where he served for 8 and one-half years, serving two terms as Chairman. He was instrumental in the development of the Utah State University Uintah Basin Regional Campus. He received the Utah State University Distinguished Alumnus Award, as well as the Utah State University, Uintah Basin Dean's Award.
An eternal optimist, Kenneth's positive attitude lifted and blessed the lives of those around him. He was a gifted problem-solver, who wisely counseled and advised anyone who needed his help. He was known for his intellect, quick wit and fun sense of humor.
He had a great love of the mountains and often expressed gratitude for God's beautiful creations. Throughout his life, the time he spent in the mountains fed his soul. Kenneth loved taking pack trips into the Uintahs on his Morgan horses. He loved basketball, poetry, music, fly fishing, art, and golf. Most of all, he was a devoted and cherished husband, father and grandfather.
Funeral Services will held on Thursday, October 29th, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at the Vernal 7th Ward Chapel (100 North 850 West). A viewing will be held on Wednesday, October 28th from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Blackburn Vernal Mortuary and Thursday from 9:45-10:45 a.m. prior to the services at the chapel.