Richard Ray Pexton's Obituary
Richard Ray Pexton passed away on Dec. 26th 2015 in West Valley City, UT. He was 82 years old and is survived by his only child Sandra, her husband Shaun Johnson, grandchildren Noelle Fehlberg, Stuart Johnson, Laurel Johnson, Adam Johnson and Heber Johnson. Also great-granddaughters Grace and Ruth Felhberg. Richard was born on Oct. 24, 1933, in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was the youngest child of Thomas Ray Pexton and Nelda Carter Pexton, having three older sisters, LaNae Freed, Norma Blake and Ramona Nichols. Also a half- sister Donna Jensen. All preceded Richard in death.
He grew up on Kensington Ave. and Park St, near Liberty Park in Salt Lake City and graduated from South High school. His best friend from childhood is Richard Freed, sister LaNae’s brother-in-law, who was present at his death. His dad Ray, Richard and Richard would walk to baseball games together at Derks Field.
He served in the Air Force, 4602nd Air Intelligence Service Squadron during the Korean War as a Russian Translator. He had a gift for languages and also spoke German, French and Japanese.
He met his wife, Anna Hjorth, in San Francisco, CA while in the Air Force Reserve, while stationed at Hamilton Air Force base. They were married in Springville, UT on Dec. 16th 1960. Their marriage was solemnized and Sandra was sealed to them in the Manti temple in July 1963.
Anna preceded Richard in death on April 17, 2000.
Richard attended the University of Utah. He instilled the value of a college education in his daughter who graduated from BYU, which disappointed Richard only slightly. His best advice to her was, “Work hard and then play hard!”
He worked for 27 years as an accountant for the State of Utah in the Water Rights division.
He loved trains, especially steam engines. He would “chase” trains. He would race a train to the railroad crossing to watch it pass by, often taking Sandra along with him. Part of this love came from his father who worked as a railroad brakeman. Sandra remembers being dressed in her Sunday best, out for a drive with her parents. Her dad found a steam engine, stopped temporarily near North Temple and Redwood Rd. Wanting her to experience his excitement of a real steam engine, and with permission of the engineer, put her up in the cab, right in front of the blazing firebox. Her white Sunday shoes were covered in soot, and she sadly, was not impressed at all, but Richard was thrilled to have her experience it first-hand.
He loved Hudson brand cars and drove one in his early adult years and later had one when they were considered antiques.
He loved pipe organs, band organs, organ music and played the organ and piano. He loved musicals and collected musical soundtracks. His favorite was The Unsinkable Molly Brown and he adopted, “I Ain’t Down Yet!” as his life’s moto.
Graveside services will be at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 29, 2015 at the Springville Evergreen Cemetery, 1997 South 400 East, Springville, UT.
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