Kent Brighton

J Kent Brighton, age 81, of Roosevelt, passed away peacefully after a period of declining health while surrounded by family members in the early morning hours of Saturday, October 3, 2015 at the Alpine Valley Care Center in Pleasant Grove, Utah.
Kent was born May 30, 1934 in Bennett, Utah to Sidney Alvarus and Evelyn Whitelock Brighton and later moved with his family to Ballard, Utah. He was a member of the first graduating class of Union High School. Kent was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in many callings. He served a full-time LDS mission in the Southern States Mission (Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi) from 1954-1956. He often spoke of passing through the trials of heat, humidity, and having to eat a lot of rice while serving his mission, since he was a meat and potatoes man at heart.
Kent was a lifetime resident of the Uintah Basin, living and working primarily in Roosevelt, Vernal, and Tridell. He was employed in a variety of jobs during his working years as well as being a lifetime farmer, spending most of his years farming in Ballard and Tridell.
Our Dad loved to grow a large garden and share the harvest with family, friends, and neighbors. During his many years in Tridell and Roosevelt, he spent countless hours raising cattle so that he could keep his children's freezers full of steaks, hamburger, and roasts. However, our Dad struggled with a couple of things during his life. He did not believe in partaking of ice cream in moderation or in the concept of catch and release when fishing.
His other hobbies included growing flowers, making flower arrangements, collecting ornamental rocks for his garden, canning and preserving fruits and vegetables, making quilts for his children and grandchildren, and being a loving and generous father and grandfather. He really enjoyed attending his grandchildren's sporting events and other activities. He loved to sing and singing with his family was a highlight of recent visits.
He married Mary Ellen Giles on November 5, 1958 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. They were later divorced. On May 27, 1979, he married Judy Stoll in the Provo LDS Temple. They were later divorced. He later married Frances McKay on August 10, 2000 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple.
He is survived by Frances McKay Brighton, and seven children. His children are Marlene McGrath, Murray; Jeanne (Bryan) Smith, Tridell; Janet (Bart) Purser, Murray; Sherry (Ben) Lemmon, Bluebell; Neil Brighton, Spring, TX; Allen (Trina) Brighton, West Valley; David (Karee) Brighton, Lehi. Kent is also survived by his sister, Marilyn Wardle, West Valley, as well as 28 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and by his siblings: Ruth Saari, Sidney Brighton, Laurence Brighton, Eula Watkins, and Glen Brighton.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, October 8, 2015 at 11:30 a.m. at the Roosevelt East Stake Center, 502 North 600 East, Roosevelt. Viewings will be held Wednesday evening from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Hullinger Mortuary and Thursday from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. at the church.
Burial in the Roosevelt Memorial Park.