George Mitton

George LeRoy Mitton age 97, peacefully passed away on August 20, 2024, at his home in Provo, Utah from natural causes. He is preceded in death by his sweet wife (Ewan Harbrecht Mitton) of over 60 years, his older sister (Anna Lee Dransfield), and his parents (Samuel and Johann Mitton). He is survived by his younger brother Reid (Sanna), his four children: Elizabeth Larsen (Shirl), David L. Mitton (Andrea), John P. Mitton (Nancy), and Esther Phelts (Charles), all of whom live in Utah. He is also survived by 20 grandchildren and 41 great grandchildren.

George was born in Logan, Utah on August 10, 1927, a son of Samuel LeRoy Mitton and Johann Smith Mitton. He was educated in the Logan City Schools, graduating from Logan High School in 1945. He served in the Army Air Corps from 1945-46. He attended Utah State University, graduating with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in political science and economics. George met Ewan E. Harbrecht in New York City where he was a student attending Columbia University and Ewan was a musician and concert singer. They were married June 19, 1957, in the Salt Lake Temple by Pres. David O. McKay where President McKay pronounced George “a wise man and very fortunate.”

He worked two years in Olympia, Washington for the Washington State Research Council, doing research in problems of state and local government. He pursued additional graduate studies in Public Administration at Columbia University. While in New York, he taught one year at the City College of New York, and was employed by the Connecticut Tax Study Commission, and as an Economic Analyst for American Airlines. In 1961 he moved with his family to Salem, Oregon, to begin employment with Oregon State government, serving until 1987 in several capacities, first as an administrative analyst in the Governor’s budget office, and for some years as Assistant Director of the Education Coordinating Commission. During this period Ewan taught vocal music and opera workshop on the faculty of Western Oregon State University at Monmouth, Oregon.

After thy retired in 1988, they moved to Provo, Utah to be near their children. Ewan continued her music activities, and George has pursued an interest in history, particularly church history and doctrine. He served as a volunteer for the Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies (FARMS), and for several years as an Associate Editor of The FARMS Review. From 2012 he was a charter member and associate editor for the Interpreter Foundation. Here, he focused on book reviews and provided many contributions to the publication even as recently as one week before his passing. Quoting Dan Peterson (Founder of Interpreter) “George was soft-spoken, kind, funny, incisive, hard-working and deeply loyal to the Kingdom of God.”

George has been an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints all his life serving a mission to London England (1949-51), Sunday School Teacher, Bishop’s Councilor, High Councilor and Bishop.

Funeral services will be held Monday August 26, 2024, at the Nelson Family Mortuary located at 4780 North University Ave, Provo UT 84604.

Viewing: 9:00AM
Funeral: 10:00AM

Internment: Logan City Cemetery (Same Day)