Leslie Whitton

Our beloved Father, Leslie (Les) Whitton, 103, passed away peacefully on Saturday evening October 3, 2026, almost 2 years to the day of his loving wife, Annie’s passing on October 4^th, 2024. Oh, how he missed her!

Les was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts, on September 1, 1923, the first of 2 children, born to May Cooper and Matthew Whitton, both direct arrivals from England. He loved his childhood in New Bedford, sharing it with his sister, Marge. He cherished his adventures camping with his friend on the shores of the Atlantic off the Cape. As a child he sang solos as a boy soprano, and later sang in the New Bedford Men’s Glee Club. Because of his love for music, he would later sing in many more choruses throughout his life, his last being the Ralph Woodward Choral in Provo, where he would sing in The Messiah for many years in the Provo Tabernacle.

Shortly after his graduation from high school he entered the U. S. Army, serving 21 months in Italy, France and Germany during World War II. He was grateful to serve his country.

Leslie, a convert to the LDS Church, was baptized a few days after his 17^th birthday. This event changed his life, and ultimately led him to Utah and to his wife Annie where both were students at the University of Utah. He married Annie Merrill Ballantyne of Tucson, Arizona on Dec. 22, 1947, in the Mesa Arizona Temple, officiated by Apostle Joseph F. Merrill, Annie’s grandfather.

Together they pursued their education. Les studied botany and horticulture at the University of Utah and Utah State University, where together in 1949, they received their Bachelor's Degrees. Les would soon go on to receive an M.S. Degree in genetics from the University of California at Davis and a Ph.D. Degree from Cornell University in plant breeding. He later spent a year on sabbatical leave, at Oregon State University studying radiation biology on a National Science Foundation grant.

He served on the faculty of two universities: At the University of Maine he taught courses in horticulture and experimented with blueberries to increase their winter-hardiness through breeding, thus was born the Patriot Blueberry. In 1962, he crossed the country to join the Botany Department of Brigham Young University where he taught botany, genetics, cytology, and trees & shrubs, retiring in 1988.

He was a member of the Provo Urban Forestry Board for many years and also served as an officer on the Utah Association of Shade Tree Commissions. Service was important to him, he joined the Provo Kiwanis International Club.

As a convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in 1940, he was actively involved in throughout his life. He was a member of the Maine District Presidency, in Bangor and served as a bishop of the BYU 101^st Ward. After his retirement, he served a 6 month mission in SLC in Family History. He and Annie then served as missionaries in London, England for 18 months. After their return to Provo, they served as full-time missionaries in Interpretation Services at the Missionary Training Center in Provo. Following their MTC service, he and Annie served as hosts at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building for 9 years. Slowing down a bit, (but not really..) they turned their energy to the Provo Temple where they served as ordinance workers, dad for another 9 years, and mother continued on for a few more. He loved the Lord, though quiet in his testimony, he bore witness as he served the Lord and others throughout his life.

He loved meeting new friends along the way…moving from coast to coast, then living 52 years in Oak Hills in Provo, later on Vine Street in Murray, and Spring Gardens in Holladay. Together, they moved 27 times…making lasting friendships wherever they lived.

Dad loved to camp with his family and loved the outdoors. His energy was endless, always the first one up the trail, beginning at Mt Katahdin in Maine. One great family tradition was the camping week at Redfish Lake in Idaho where many of his grandchildren were baptized. Dad loved ice skating, river rafting, gardening, fruit trees and flowers. He was a great reader, a cross word puzzle and Sudoku man….doing them daily…his mind was sharp unto the end. Les and Annie traveled extensively in the US and Europe. Life with her and the children she bore him has been the richest blessing in his life.

Our family wishes to express our gratitude for the kindness shown Les (and Annie) by the caregivers at Spring Gardens, his loving nurse, the always smiling staff, and hospice caregivers in the end…thank you!

He is survived by his four beloved children: Mark (Irina) Vernal, Kent (Payson), Laura (Neil) Kaysville, Elizabeth (Boyd) Holladay, 11 grandchildren, and 30 great grandchildren.

Les was preceded in death by his loving wife, Annie; his parents, May and Matthew Whitton, and his sister Margaret.

Graveside services will be held for immediate family on Saturday, October 10, 2026 in the Salt Lake City Cemetery.