Dec. 4, 1957-March 7, 2023
Leon Garth Barton, age 65, of Twin Falls, Idaho passed away on March 7, 2023, in Murray, Utah surrounded by his family.
Leon was born on Dec. 4, 1957, to Cloyd Garth and Mona Barton in St. George, Utah. Born the seventh of nine children, Garth and Mona were overjoyed to welcome their only boy. His years growing up in “Sandtown” gave him lifelong friends and many fond memories which he cherished throughout his life. He graduated from Dixie High School in 1976.
He met his wife Jerie Lynn Jeppson in the summer of 1982 in St. George. They married on July 1, 1983, in Pleasant Grove, Utah. They made their home in Santa Clara, Utah, where they welcomed their two children and lived for 16 years before moving to Twin Falls, Idaho. Leo and Jerie were planning to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary this summer.
After high school, Leo began working at Moore Business Forms in St. George and later transferred to Jerome, Idaho, in 1999. He worked for Moore a total of 26 years. Leo’s job transferred to Jerome which brought him and his family to Twin Falls, Idaho where he lived for almost 24 years.
When Moore in Jerome closed, Leo began his long-haul trucking career, working first for Warner Enterprises and then finally for Franklin Building Supply. He worked for Franklin for 13 years. Trucking allowed Leo to see most of the United States which he enjoyed and frequently told his family about.
Leo grew up playing sports: baseball, basketball, track, wrestling and football. He enjoyed cheering on his favorite football team, BYU, and his favorite basketball team, the Jazz. Throughout his life, he was surrounded by pet dogs which he loved. Summit, Bear and Bailey were just some of the many four-legged companions he cherished.
He had a love of the great outdoors where he spent time snowmobiling, four wheeling, fishing, hunting, looking for wildlife, camping, and sitting around the campfire. He loved taking his family on yearly trips to Yellowstone. He enjoyed Dutch oven cooking and his famous potatoes were loved by all those that tasted them.
Leo’s favorite thing in the world was being a papa to his six grandchildren. He loved making them laugh with his silly faces and funny noises like Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse. He would FaceTime them frequently and never lost patience with them even if it meant spending 15 minutes staring at the top of their head or the ceiling. He enjoyed playing and reading with them, taking them camping or for a ride in his truck. They brought him so much joy and happiness.
He is survived by his wife Jerie; their children Tiann Lynn Robbins (Alister) and Brenden Garth Barton (Jessica); his six grandchildren Jaxson, Kennedy, Madelynn, Addison, Alexander and Ellie; and his eight sisters Sandra Gwilliam, Geraldine Carter, Diana Roberts, Allison McArthur (Tom), Elaine Barton, Margene Beckstead (Steven), Melody Helmick (Brian) and Nannette Barton.
He was preceded in death by his mom Mona, his dad Cloyd Garth and many beloved dogs.
His family would like to thank the doctors and staff at St. Luke’s of Twin Falls and KPC Promise Hospital in Muray for their care and love of Leo during his months of hospitalization.
Funeral services will be held Monday, March 13, at 1 p.m. in the Metcalf Mortuary Chapel, 228 West St George Blvd, St. George. A visitation will be held Monday, prior to services, from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the mortuary. Interment will follow in the Tonaquint Cemetery located at 1777 South Dixie Drive, St George.
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Arrangements are under the care of Metcalf Mortuary, (435) 673-4221. Visit the Metcalf Mortuary website for condolences, complete obituary and funeral listings.