Marlow Wootton

Marlow (Woody) Barnard Wootton, a beloved husband and father, passed away on August 22, 2023, at his home in Lehi, Utah. Born on November 30, 1940 in Pocatello, Idaho, he was the first of five children born to Marlow Vincent Wootton and Viola Barnard Wootton.

After graduating from the University of Washington and serving a mission for the LDS church in the Southern States Mission, Woody joined the Navy in May 1966 and served for three years during the Vietnam conflict. He attended the Naval Officer Candidate School (OCS) and later earned the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade. After completing OCS in October, he stopped in Utah to visit family and was set up on a blind date with Andrea Leavitt, the cousin of his brother-in-law. It didn't take him long to decide that she was his eternal companion and proposed during a trip to Seattle to meet his family in December. They were sealed in the Los Angeles, California LDS Temple on April 22, 1967.

Woody's Navy career had the young couple moving several times during the first few years of marriage. He was assigned to the USS Preble and then served as a Navy Recruiter in San Diego and Oakland, CA. During these years Woody and Andrea welcomed their first three children into their family. Following his honorable discharge from the Navy, they settled in the Redmond & Kirkland, Washington area where they added five more children, for a total of eight kids. They raised their family in Kirkland for 25 years. After his retirement from government services, they moved to eastern Washington where he worked as the Executive Director of Walla Walla Hospice.

The family returned to western Washington six years later and Woody worked for Microsoft for several years before officially retiring and moving to Utah. They have lived in Lehi, Utah for the past 19 years and have been richly blessed with wonderful friends and family nearby.

Woody was always passionate about fishing, rock hunting, jewelry making, wood working, genealogy, and temple work. Genealogy and temple work became primary focuses of his life following retirement. He found joy working in both the Seattle Washington and the Mount Timpanogos Utah Temples of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for several years. He and Andrea were blessed to serve as Family History Missionaries in the Pacific Islands, based out of Auckland, New Zealand. They created many friendships while there and developed a deep love for the people of the Pacific Islands. They continued their commitment to Family History Work and most recently served as genealogy service missionaries in the Orem Digital Processing Center for the church.

Woody's testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ never wavered. He served in 4 bishoprics during his life, including as a Bishop in Kirkland, WA. He also served in several High Councils. He found immense joy working shoulder to shoulder with those that shared his love of the Savior and found many opportunities to share his testimony with others.

Marlow is survived by his wife Andrea, his children Steven (Carlyn) Wootton, David (Julie) Wootton, Shannon (Erik) Higley, Danielle (Stephen) Lassen, Nicole Zornes, Suzanne (Bryan) Ellertson, Megan Wootton, Scott Wootton, his siblings, Kathleen (William) Riley, Michael (Denise) Wootton, and Mark (Laurie) Wootton, his 24 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, 12 nieces and nephews and his beloved chihuahua, Clyde. He is preceded in death by his parents, Marlow and Viola, his youngest sister, Wendy Bartholomew and his nephew Michael Wootton Jr.. Marlow's unwavering devotion to his family was evidence of his testimony of the nature of eternal families.

We invite those that would like to celebrate Marlow's life to join the family at planned services. There will be a viewing on August 28, 2023, from 6:00-8:00 PM at the Anderson & Sons Lone Peak Chapel, 6141 W 11000 North in Highland, Utah. Funeral services to celebrate Marlow's life will be held on August 29, 2023, at the Pheasant Pointe 6th Ward in Lehi, UT at 11:00 AM, 531 West 3200 North in Lehi. Prior to the service, a viewing will be held at the same location at 9:30 - 10:30 AM. Marlow will be laid to rest in the Highland City, Utah Cemetery.

Please share a memory on Marlow's Tribute Wall at www.AndersonMortuary.com.

Click on the link below to watch Marlow's funeral service via live stream:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88978083947?pwd=dXVJTUV3dWJERUdmWVRZNzRva3JlZz09