Ralph Peterson Burton

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Ralph Peterson Burton, age 90, of Hyde Park, Utah, passed away peacefully at his home on September 29, 2026, just 4 weeks after the passing of his beloved wife, Beth.

Ralph was born on March 20, 1936, in Afton, Wyoming, to Winfield Ballantyne Burton and Harriet Almira Peterson Burton. The third of eleven children, he was raised on the family's livestock ranch in Star Valley, where he developed a strong work ethic and a lifelong appreciation for agriculture, family and faith.

Ralph graduated from Star Valley High School in 1954 and afterward served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in northern Mexico from 1956 to 1958. He also served in the Wyoming National Guard from 1959 to 1963.

On August 9, 1960, Ralph married Luella Beth Hoopes for time and all eternity in the Idaho Falls Idaho Temple. They began their married life in Laramie, Wyoming, where Ralph attended the University of Wyoming, earning bachelor's and master's degrees. He later earned a Ph.D. in entomology from Virginia Polytechnic Institute in Blacksburg, Virginia, in 1968.

Ralph enjoyed a long career in the agricultural research and chemical industry, working for Diamond Shamrock Corporation and its successor companies. His career took the family to Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Cleveland, Ohio, where Ralph and Beth raised their eight children and developed many lifelong friendships.

A faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ralph devoted many years to serving in a variety of Church callings, including bishop, bishopric counselor, seminary teacher, Scoutmaster and high priests group leader. In their retirement years, he and Beth served together in family history and temple work, as well as teaching seminary to students with special needs.

After retiring, Ralph and Beth returned to their beloved Star Valley, where they enjoyed welcoming family and friends into their home. They later moved to Saratoga Springs, Utah, and finally to Hyde Park, where they spent their remaining years together.

Ralph is survived by his eight children and their spouses: Blair Burton (Vicky), Brent Burton (Amy), Lance Burton (Shayne), Wade Burton (April), Bruce Burton (Kendra), Myrna Groom (Eric), Marsha Joss (Eric), and Wynn Burton (Danielle Miller); 33 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren, and siblings Nola Dayley, Almira Despain, Wilmer Burton, Cleone Black, Claire Lambson, and Mark Burton.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Luella Beth Hoopes Burton, his parents, Winfield and Harriet Burton, sisters Leah Ashby and Marie Hokanson, and brothers Paul Burton and Lloyd Burton.

Funeral services will be held in Afton, Wyoming on October 5, 2026 from 12pm to 1:30pm at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 104 Johnny Miller Drive, Afton Wyoming, with interment following in the Afton Cemetery. A viewing will be held from 10:30am to 11:30am for family and friends.