Herbert B Stratton March 7, 1925 – March 22, 2023

Herbert B Stratton was born on March 7, 1925, to James George and Nina Vance Stratton on the kitchen table at their family home in Orem, Utah. He was the 5th of 8 children, and part of the 4th generation Stratton to live and farm in Utah Valley. His childhood was spent working on the family farm alongside his brothers and sisters in Orem; he loved his siblings and parents. During his youth in the winters, "Pop," as he called his father, would take the family to California to continue their fruit business, where he gained his love for the sun and winters in Southern California.

He was active in academics and sports during his time at Lincoln High School and graduated in 1943. He married and was sealed to Meredith Christiansen in the Salt Lake Temple on December 22, 1943, and shortly thereafter joined and served in the Army during WWII, stationed in Pearl Harbor. They had three children: Janice Meredith, Herbert Brent and later Keven John. After 36 years their marriage ended, and they continued to love and support their family and one another until Meredith passed on his 70th birthday in 1995.

Herb worked with Meredith and their children in farming and later at Cascade Golf Course in Northeast Orem for many years. He was a true entrepreneur and business owner with vision. He loved growing his peaches, cherries, strawberries, apples, pears, and tomatoes; and working alongside his children and brothers. He loved his fruit trees and treated them as if they were part of his family.

He built Stratton's Country Store on the corner of 800 North and 800 East, a family fruit stand that was a cherished part of the Orem community. He sold farm fresh produce and delicious peach shakes for over 70 years at that location. Herb was known for his hard work ethic and worked hard but had fun and made work fun for those around him. He influenced and employed many from the community, the family and nearly all his 18 grandchildren. He used work as a connection to others providing many opportunities for people from all walks of life. He loved them, met them where they were—often forgiving them for their weaknesses and shortcomings—and then providing them with opportunities to grow and become self-sufficient.

Herb was an educator that valued the blessing of lifelong learning. He received a Doctorate Degree in Vocational Education from the University of Oregon. He was a teacher in Alpine School District, a counselor at Lincoln Jr. High, and finally a beloved high school administrator at Orem High School. After working in education for 25 years he retired to operate the golf course. He fell in love with the game of golf and he and Meredith worked with his two brothers, Frank and Vern and their spouses, to design and develop Cascade Golf Course along 800 North in Orem. Construction began in 1967 and was completed in 1969. The initial layout was a 9-hole golf course and driving range at the foot of Mount Timpanogos and the Cascade Mountain. He also owned and developed Southgate Golf Course for a few years in St. George. He golfed all over the world and loved to play with his family and friends. He loved it when one of his grandsons or granddaughters would out drive him. On his 85th birthday he spent the morning skiing and the afternoon golfing!

He would spend his summers farming, golfing, and fishing; Herb was an avid fisherman and loved to fish in the rivers and the lakes of Utah, especially Rock Creek, as well as Deer Creek and Strawberry Reservoir, and at Henry's Lake in Idaho. In the fall after the harvest was completed, he always looked forward to the annual elk and deer hunts, and the opening of the pheasant hunt. Later in life, he loved his annual fishing trips to Alaska. He was a card shark at any card game and loved to play with his family – especially Rook and Wizard.

Herb was married to Mariam Fryer from 1980 to1985. In 1995, during the final season of his long and full life of 98 years, he met and later married Susan Myers. They were married on October 22, 2005, and were subsequently sealed in the Salt Lake Temple. Susan's son, Scott Kevin Groth, who had passed away at the young age of 2, was later sealed to them. Herb and Susan had a beautiful life together living in Orem, Salt Lake, St. George, and several years in Rancho Mirage, California. They enjoyed their years together with family events, golfing, traveling, and serving in the temple. Susan was a beloved companion and was so kind and supportive in caring for him with love and devotion during his declining years.

Herbert was a beloved husband, father, uncle, brother, grandpa and great grandpa. He enjoyed spending time with his family, his nephews, and his 18 grandchildren and over 40 great grandchildren. The journey of life is difficult and hard at times, and Herb was not exempt from life's struggles and consequences. Even despite challenging times, he worked hard to repair and improve, and to endure through all the pain and difficulties. His life is a witness of the healing strength of love and forgiveness and the merciful redeeming power of Jesus Christ! The final season of his life was one of peace and love, blessed by the care of his sweet companion, Susan, and surrounded by his children, grandchildren, and nephews. Life has a way of softening and sweetening us – offering the opportunity to bring out the best version of each one of us. Herb was proof of that truth. We love our husband, dad, son, brother, uncle, and Grandpa Herbie!

We express our deep gratitude to all that have touched and impacted the life of our loved one, Herbert B Stratton. A heartfelt thank you to the caregivers and professional staff members at Dignity Hospice and Heritage Gardens in Springville, Utah, and for those at Segovia in Palm Desert, California. Their service and compassion is exceptional.

There will be a Viewing on Wednesday March 29th from 7:00-8:30 p.m. at the Walker Sanderson Mortuary at 800 North and 600 East in Orem. Funeral Services will be held on Thursday March 30th, viewing at 10:00 a.m. followed by the funeral at 11:00 a.m. in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Chapel on the corner 800 East 1200 North in Orem, Utah.