Robert William Britton, 65, passed away surrounded by his loving family after battling an unexpected illness on October 20, 2017. Bob was a kind and generous man. He loved to laugh, make others laugh, and serve wherever he could.
Bob was born in Salt Lake City on October 21, 1951, to Marion Branch Britton and Erma Louise Gold. He attended Oquirrh Elementary, Granite Park Jr. High, and Granite High School, graduating in 1970 after never missing a day of school. Soon after, he served an LDS mission to Taiwan.
Bob was a collector of many things including buttons, marbles, vinyl records, nutcrackers, antiques, pigs, and weapons, but clocks were his foremost passion. He credited his mission president for sparking his love and interest in clocks. Over the years, Bob collected several hundred clocks, pocket watches, sundials, hourglasses, ornaments, and other clock-themed mementos.
Bob's greatest love was his family. He loved to travel to support his children and grandchildren and always made time for them. He attended sporting events, concerts, recitals, birthday parties, baby blessings, baptisms, weddings, funerals, and family reunions in many different states. He supported his three sons on their LDS missions and travelled to Russia, Spain, and Germany to accompany each of them home.
Bob loved being outdoors and had a competitive spirit. He enjoyed working in the yard and taking his motorcycle out with his grandchildren. He participated in the Hunstman World Senior Games and won gold, silver, and bronze medals in archery. Bob appreciated music and theater and was a season ticket holder to many live theater venues. He loved playing ping-pong, tennis, pool, yard games (including horse-shoes, bocce ball, and knife throwing), golf, and card games. He was especially skilled at Skee-Ball and loved playing it at Lagoon; he would often play until he won a prize which he would give to his grandchildren.
Celebrating birthdays and Christmas were important to Bob. He loved to give and receive gifts, and he went out of his way to make sure that each gift was tailored to the individual. Bob celebrated national holidays by flying the flag; he was very patriotic and was proud to be an American. He loved patriotic music and always sang along with the national anthem. His family sang I'm Proud To Be An American to him during his last moments.
Bob loved his favorite foods. He loved Diet Coke; Sunday morning bacon, eggs, and waffles; baked chicken, Winger's wings; potato salad; red Jello with bananas and Cool Whip; and Coralie's lasagna. Bob never met a buffet he didn't like. He knew what he liked to eat, and he kept to his favorites.
Bob was inventive and resourceful. He was rarely without tarps and ropes, and his knot-tying skills were legendary. He would build various contraptions using whatever materials were available in his garage. He made his own atlatl and atlatl darts, Spartan spears, knife throwing targets, and he made a knife from a metal file. He fabricated TV stands, artificial limbs, a wheeled cart to carry sheetrock, and so much more.
Bob worked at Economy Builders Supply for 13 years. He then became a Letter Carrier for the United States Postal Service and delivered mail on the same route in West Valley City for 30 years. Bob took great pride in his job. He knew and cared for the people on his route, performed many acts of service for them, and supported them in life events such as births, weddings, and funerals.
Bob met his wife, Coralie, while working for the Postal Service, and they were married in Salt Lake City, Utah on February 24, 1988. They shared almost 30 years together, supporting and loving one another. Bob's six children love him and he is remembered as the "Best Dad Ever." His 15 grandchildren affectionately called him Grandpa, Grandpa Bob, Grandpa Dinosaur, and Papa.
He is survived by his wife, his "Love," Coralie; his 6 beloved children: Bradley (Blanche) Britton, Jessica (George) Herning, Loralee (Brandon) Owsley, Ryan (Georgianna) Britton, Valerie (Russell) Winder, and Richard (Brianne) Britton; 15 adored grandchildren: Megan, Cami, and Alex Britton; Tyler Stokes, Lance and Jake Herning; McKenna, Ashlyn, Braxton, and Josie Owsley; Tony and Abby Winder; and Devin, Landon, and Nora Britton; 5 siblings: Karen Kerkove, Earl (Renae) Britton, Larry (Linda) Britton, Beverly (Michael) Turner, and Thomas (Lori) Britton; and numerous in-laws, nieces, nephews, and his first wife, Elizabeth Jepson Downing, the mother of his children. He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother-in-law, Earl Kerkove, and his niece, Christie Klungervik.
A viewing will be held at the Bluffdale 13th Ward, 15429 S. Iron Horse Boulevard, Bluffdale, Utah on Thursday, October 26, from 6:00-8:00 pm. Funeral services will be held Friday, October 27 at 11:00 am at the Bluffdale 13th Ward, with a viewing from 9:45-10:45 am. Interment will be at the Murray City Cemetery.
