Dale “Butch” Eugene Barton was born April 11th, 1950, in Tooele, Utah, to Raymon and Patricia (Price) Barton. Butch passed away peacefully at home in Grantsville, Utah, on May 21st, 2026.
Butch grew up in Tooele, Utah, and loved spending time fishing, hunting, and working alongside his Dad. He loved playing sports, especially football and baseball. Two of his most memorable experiences were playing baseball in the Minor League World Series and the Babe Ruth World Series. He graduated from Tooele High School in 1968 and went on to play baseball for the University of Utah before being drafted into the United States Army.
Butch dated his sweetheart Carol Christley throughout high school and married her on August 21, 1969, in the Salt Lake Temple. They were blessed with 5 children, 18 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, and 5 great great-grandchildren. He had a large extended family who dearly loved him, especially all his many “thumb” buddies.
During his time in the Army, Butch fought in the Vietnam War. He returned home and started his employment as a firefighter with the U.S. Government at the Tooele Army Depot. He also worked at the Utah Test and Training Range and was promoted through the ranks to become the Fire Chief there. He finished his career at the Tooele Army Depot, serving as its Fire Chief until his retirement in 2000.
He loved his adopted hometown of Grantsville and loved serving as a Fire Fighter for the Grantsville Volunteer Fire Department, and as its Fire Chief. Through his connections and knowledge working as a firefighter for the U.S Government, he was able to secure grants to procure proper safety equipment and a brand-new fire truck for the department. He will be remembered for saving several lives during a severe brush fire on the west side of Grantsville. He also served on the Grantsville City Council and spent countless hours striving to improve the community.
He loved watching his kids play sports and could always be found cheering for the Cowboys when one of his kids was playing. One of his favorite things to do was pull the equipment trailer for the team’s away football games and taking stats on the sidelines next to Dean Johnson.
Butch was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and served in many callings, including as a Bishop and as a Scout Master. He loved going to Boy Scout camp when possible and was very active in the scouting program. He helped all three of his sons earn their Eagle Scout Awards.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved wife Carol Christley Barton, his sister Anita, his son Matthew, and four grandchildren Holden, Maesyn, Nikolai, and Rowdy.
Services will be held on Thursday May 28th, 2026, at 11:00am with a viewing beforehand from 9:00am-10:45am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meetinghouse located at 81 N. Church Street, Grantsville, Utah. Internment will take place at the Grantsville City Cemetery with Military Honors and Firefighter Honors.
Online condolences and memories can be shared at daltonhoopes.com.
Here is the streaming link for those that would like to stream: https://grantsville.live/clark2nd then click on clark 2nd
