St. George, Utah - Albert M. Stratton, age 98 , returned home to his Heavenly Father and waiting family members December 25, 2011 of natural causes. He was surrounded by his loving wife and family. Albert was born on March 22, 1913 in St. George, Utah to Oliver Lang and Josephine Foremaster Stratton. He was the third child in a family of eight children.

Albert's first marriage was to Alma Tanner. They were married in 1942 in the St. George LDS Temple. Together they had one son, Steven Albert. Alma was 8 months pregnant with a second child (daughter) when both she and the child were tragically taken in an automobile accident in November of 1949. He later met Leila Huntsman Mayhew, who was also recently widowed. She had a son Milton Otto Mayhew. They were married October 9, 1953 in Las Vegas, Nevada and they have been inseparable through 58 years of marriage. Together they had two more children; a daughter, Jill and a son, Oliver Clay. Albert was a devoted and loving father to all.

Albert's early years were spent on the family ranch in Central, Ut. He began his schooling in Central riding a horse back and forth from the ranch. Later, he stayed in St. George during the winter months and attended school there while working on the ranch and running trap lines during the summer. He was also a seasonal worker at the Utah Idaho sugar beet plant in St. George. In 1942, he found employment in St. George with the Department of Agriculture, ASCS office (Agriculture Stabilization and Conservation Service). He started as farm supervisor and after his military service, became the office and programs manager. He developed life long friendships with many of the farmers and ranchers in Washington County. He was granted a job furlough in1942 in order to serve his country during WWII. He entered the Army in October, 1942 and was stationed at Camp Roberts California. He served with the Headquarters Detachment, 1928th Service Command Unit. He was a staff sergeant by the end of his service and was honorably discharged in March, 1946. After his military service was completed, he returned to his job with the ASCS in St. George and retired in June, 1976 after 34 years of service.

Albert was not one to sit still. He loved to work with his hands and stay busy. He always had a project(s) going on. He did everything from gardening to raising calves, pigs, and sheep to cutting firewood for the winter or larger projects like building his dream cabin in Pine Valley, Ut. He took up golf at the time the Red Hills golf course was completed. Over the years he, along with his boys, friends and other family members enjoyed many happy times golfing at all of the courses in the area. He was an avid outdoorsman and appreciated everything in nature. There were countless numbers of hunting, fishing and camping trips with his family, siblings and friends as well as day trips and picnics with his family. He was an avid Indian arrowhead collector. He and his family spent many enjoyable days combing sand dunes, sagebrush flats and hills in search of those illusive perfect arrowheads. He was the happiest when he was spending time doing anything outdoors whether it was work or play. The only activity he loved that even rivaled being in the out of doors was a hot game of Pinochle! He loved to play pinochle and would strike up a game with anyone at about anytime of the day or night. He was a humble, kind and gentle man always thinking of and doing things for others and he had many close friends. A perfect stranger on the street couldn't meet him and not walk away feeling good about themselves. He loved to be in the service of others. He served as second counselor in the St. George eighth ward bishopric. He served on the board of directors of Heritage Savings & Loan from 1968-1973 and was on the advisory board 1984-1987. He was a long time member of the St. George Lions Club and served as club president 1966-1967.

Albert is survived by his devoted and loving wife of 58 years, Leila; four children: Steven Albert (Jody) Stratton of Hurricane, UT, Milton Otto Mayhew (Robyn), Jill Tobler and Oliver Clay (Kate) Stratton all of St. George, UT; one brother, Lloyd Stratton of Logandale, NV; 14 grandchildren; and 29 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Lucyle Bracken, Thelma Lameroux, Agnes Lehman, and Helen Stratton; and brothers, Dr.Willard O. Stratton and Leland Stratton.

The family would like to deeply thank all of the loving and caring people who helped care for Albert and allowed him to stay and pass on with dignity in his own home. There are way too many of you to name but you know who you are and we could not have done it without all of you and your loving, compassionate and dedicated service. The family would also like to express their gratitude to the staff of Metcalf Mortuary for their dignified, compassionate and helpful services rendered after his passing.

Funeral services will be held January 3, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at the St. George LDS 8 ^th Ward Chapel, 166 South Main Street, St. George, Utah. Visitations will be held Monday evening, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Metcalf Mortuary, 288 West St. George Blvd. and on Tuesday, prior to services, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Chapel. Interment will be at the St. George City Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Metcalf Mortuary, (435) 673-4221.