Monty Cornelius Stratton, born on September 18, 1949, in Cedar City, Utah, was a man who could make even the grumpiest cat crack a smile. He passed away at the age of 75 on February 15, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of laughter and a trail of dad jokes that will echo through the ages.
Monty married his childhood sweetheart, Carla Blackburn, on March 6, 1971. They grew up across the street from each other, developing a crush at the tender ages of 13 and 15. Their love story was like a rom com, minus the Hollywood drama. They were married for 54 years, which is practically a century in marriage years.
Known for his infectious laugh and wicked sense of humor, Monty could light up a room faster than a disco ball. His children often rolled their eyes and said, “Dad has never met a stranger,” as he chatted up everyone from the grocery checkout clerk to the mailman.
Monty loved building things, and in 1988, he established Monty Stratton Construction. He worked alongside his sons and, at one point, his daughter. His youngest son, Kirby, stuck with him until Monty retired in 2016. The family had the pleasure of living in many of the houses he built, which was great until they realized they were the guinea pigs for his latest construction experiments.
Monty had a plethora of hobbies, including fishing, hunting, collecting coins and marbles, and foraging for pinenuts. In his later years, he developed a passion for growing baby tomatoes, sometimes planting ten plants at a time. He proudly showed them off to everyone, making sure they left with a bag full. He also walked the neighborhood with dog treats in his pocket, handing them out to every dog he saw, regardless of their behavior.
During retirement, Monty decided to become a farmer, quickly finding himself outnumbered by chickens, ducks, and cows. He laid sod for his chickens and planted trees for their shade, treating them like his own children. You could find him almost any afternoon with his chickens, proudly showing off the eggs he collected or the baby chicks that hatched.
Monty’s proudest achievement was becoming a husband and father. He loved his wife, children, and grandchildren unconditionally. He is survived by his spouse Carla, his children Tori and Justin Williams, Cody and Kristy Stratton, and Kirby and Mackenzie Stratton, along with their children. He is also survived by his brothers Blaine Culter, Roger Stratton, and Mike Stratton, and his sisters Boni Webster, Dianne Gubler, and JoLynn Holt.
Monty’s life was a testament to the power of laughter, love, and a good dad joke. He will be missed, but his humor will live on in the hearts of those who knew him.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Elton and Shirley Stratton
A graveside service will be held at the Cedar City cemetery under the direction of Southern Utah Mortuary on February 22, 2025 at 2pm, followed by a luncheon to be held at the Nichols Canyon Ward located at 2015 N. Wedgewood Lane, Cedar City, UT 84721.
Online condolences can be sent at www.mortuary.org.