Dean Blair Orton

Dean Blair Orton, age 82 of Salem, OR. died peacefully Sunday, January 31, 2016 at his home in Salem after a battle with cancer. He was born in Ogden, Utah on June 28, 1933; the eighth child born to Thomas Edward and Weltha Giles Orton. The family moved to Morgan, Utah and later to Emmett, Idaho. Dean attended elementary school at a 2-room country school house, often riding a horse to school. He attended high school through his junior year in Emmett as well. The family then moved to Portland, OR. where Dean graduated in 1951 from Lincoln High School. He then attended college at Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon graduating in 1956 with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and Human Development. During his high school and college years, he enjoyed singing in choirs and quartets. This love of singing continued throughout his life as he sang in various church choirs, solo performances and in the Willamette Master choir.

Immediately following graduation, Dean joined the Army rather than being drafted, so that he could have a choice of service and utilize his education while serving. He received training in the Army at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX. He was then sent to the United States Amy Hospital in Landstuhl, Germany where he served for three years as a Clinical Psychologist Specialist.

Following Dean's discharge, he returned to Portland where he worked at the Multnomah County Detention Center for a year and a half and then went on to graduate school in Social Work at the University of Denver. It was at the University of Denver he met his wife, Ida Jessen; both graduated in 1962 with a Master's Degree in Social Work. They married on December 21, 1962 in Redfield, South Dakota.

Dean's first employment was with the Marion County Juvenile Center in Salem, OR. A new facility was in the process of being built thus he was instrumental in establishing the program for delinquent children. Future employments were with the State of Oregon. The first was Director of Social Services at Hillcrest which at that time was the institution for delinquent girls. He later became the Assistant Superintendent of Hillcrest. For many years after leaving Hillcrest, he worked in the Children Services Division establishing group homes throughout the State of Oregon when the emphasis was on placement of delinquent children in homes rather than institutions. His later years was with contracting with the group homes and private facilities for children.

Dean was very active in community services. He was the founder and the Chairman of the first Neighborhood Planning Association in Salem (Faye Wright Neighborhood Association). He was Chairman of the Association for ten consecutive years. There are now nineteen Neighborhood Associations in Salem. Dean also served seven years on the City Budget Committee, eight years on the Citizen's Advisor Committee to the Police Department, five years on the Salem Area Transportation Advisory Committee and six years on the Sprague Advisory Committee, serving two years as Chairman. In addition, he served on other City Commissions special tasks groups, and was a strong advocate within city government for community improvements.

Dean was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints serving in positions of a counselor in the Bishopric and Ward Clerk for fourteen years.

Dean loved fishing and camping with family and friends. He especially liked going to Diamond Lake and East Lake. He also enjoyed traveling both in the United States and foreign countries. He will be greatly missed by all those who had the privilege of knowing him.

Dean is survived by his wife Ida, children Gregg (Cynthia), Mark (RaeAnn), Janelle (Mike Harris), Marty Orton and grandchildren Emily, Joseph, Chloe Orton; Megan, Makenna, Kate Orton; and Elise, Steven, Kristine, Lindsey Harris. Also survived by his brother Sheldon Orton (Nancy) and many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents Thomas and Weltha Giles Orton, and siblings: Thelma Huber, Ruth Carter, Ralph Orton, Grant Orton, Phyllis Rekow, Beatrice Klingback, and Laura Orton.