Byron Orval Averett

Byron Orval Averett died peacefully at his home on Oct. 8, 2023 at the age of 85, surrounded by all six of his children. He was born in Kanab, Utah to Nedra (Brown) and Joseph Averett on July 28, 1938. His father was a cattleman and his mother was in the restaurant business. After his parents separated, he lived in Kanab with his grandparents for a time. Nedra married Paul Baughman in 1943 and the family moved to Kingman, AZ and then to Ada, Ohio where he attended 4th -12th grade.  Byron loved school. He worked all through High School in a drug store as an apprentice pharmacist and at its soda fountain. He was  loved by classmates and was Senior Class President, graduating in 1957.

Byron was in the National Guard for 6 years. When he entered the Army, he legally changed his name from “Averett” to “Baughman,” the name he was raised with. He attended the College of Southern Utah and worked for the Forest Service.  He married his sweetheart, Alice Jayne Gardner, on June 30, 1960 in Las Vegas, NV. He worked on the Glen Canyon Dam in Page, Arizona; for the US Park Service at Lake Powell; and the Little Goose Lock and Dam near Starbuck, WA.

He moved his family in 1968 to Phoenix, AZ where he purchased a Crystal Bottled Water franchise. On their twelfth wedding anniversary, he was sealed to his wife and their three children, Tamara, Juliana and Christopher in the St. George Temple.  Three more children were born in Phoenix: Joseph, Jason and Angela. Here he served as Bishop in the Phoenix East Stake 5th Ward.

The family moved to Yuma, AZ in 1981 where Byron ran franchises for Crystal Bottled Water, Charles Chips and Perma-Glaze. Before losing his wife Alice to cancer in 2004, Byron legally changed his name back to “Averett” so the name would be carried on. His retirement years were spent in Yuma surrounded by grandchildren. He gardened, drove van loads of widows to the temple, and improved his cabin at Deer Springs Ranch.Byron was active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. During his life he served in six bishoprics, two High Councils, and in Stake Young Men Presidencies. He had a strong testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. He was very active in Scouting for over 50 years. He enjoyed being Scoutmaster more than any other position and was awarded the Silver Beaver award.  He was still working with scouts at the age of 82.

He was a tireless worker, serving his family and others with devoted home teaching, home improvement projects, and wood working skills. He was famous for his cowboy potatoes and homemade ice cream. He immensely enjoyed backpacking, hiking, camping and the great outdoors. He died from complications of a recent accident at his beloved Deer Springs Ranch in southern Utah.

Byron was preceded in death by his wife Alice, sister Denny Cram, and brother Rick Baughman. He is survived by his sister Pauline Burchinal (St. George, UT) and his children: Tamara (Guy) Laing of Roy, UT; Julie (Kenny Keith) Marriott of Paradise Valley, AZ; Chris (April) Averett of Yuma, AZ; Joseph Averett of Salt Lake City, UT; Jason (Teena) Baughman of Yuma, AZ and Angela (Michael) Jones of Marietta, GA; 18 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren.

An open house will be held at Byron’s home Wed. Oct.11 from 6-8 pm. Funeral services will be held in Kanab, UT at the Kanab North Stake Center on Sat. Oct. 14 at 12 pm with a viewing from 11-11:45 am.

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