Ken Woodrow Rushton

Ken Woodrow Rushton passed away from a brief illness on March 21, 2024 in West Jordan, Utah surrounded by loved ones who will miss him dearly. He was born on January 3, 1939 to Warren Woodrow Rushton and LaNeda (Tess) Shaw Rushton, in Murray, Utah. He was the first of four children.  

Ken graduated from Cyprus High School in 1957.  He then enlisted in the United States Navy, where he spent the next four years (and 2 years in the reserves), serving part of that time overseas in Hawaii, Japan and Hong Kong aboard the USS Jason.

After his service, he married Janette E. (Wendel) Rushton, and together they had four children. They later divorced.  Ken then married his current wife, Anne (McClinton) Rushton, whom he met at a dance at the Fraternal Order of Eagles 659. Ken and Anne spent the last 39 years together.

Ken was an avid outdoorsman! He loved nothing more than going hunting, fishing, shooting, riding motorcycles and ATVs, and camping with family and friends. He finally met his lifelong desire to hunt a buffalo. He made legendary pancake breakfasts at camp, was intent on making the largest possible campfire, and often found himself needing help getting out of remarkable predicaments.

When he wasn’t on the mountain or in the desert, he made his career as a kitchen countertop specialist. He learned his trade while working for his father, and eventually formed his own company, Ken’s Kitchen Tops, with all his sons working for him at one time or another.  Even his grandson picked up the trade making it a four-generation business.

As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he served as Scout Leader for many years. He also joined the Fraternal Order of Eagles and took up trap shooting as a member of the local lodge, participating in the state trap shoots. Ken also loved bowling and was on the Senior League (Club 55) at All Star Bowling Lanes, serving as Sergeant of Arms.

Ken had a great sense of humor, loved to tell stories (sometimes over and over again) and make people laugh.

Ken is survived by his dear wife, Anne; his four children: Randy Rushton (Cheryl), Danny Rushton (Cathy), Julie Wray (Nick) and Brad Rushton (Candida); four step-children: Scott Robertson, Jody Carlson (Thomas), Jayne Hawthorne (Tim), and Julia Franco; two sisters: Joan Carter and ReNee Steinmetz (Robert); his brother Rex Rushton; his brother-in-law Ben McClinton (Karen); and 54 grand, great grand and great-great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother-in-law Ron Carter, sister-in-law Mary Potter and stepdaughter Lynnette Wooley.