Charles Randolph Kirton Sr.

He passed at last to the presence of his parents and Savior as he lived—with dignity, grace, and abiding faith after his final battle with cancer.

Throughout his life, Randy credited his remarkable parents and siblings, sisters Janet Hunter, Claudia Peterson, Marsha Derrick, and brother Wilford III (Bill) for giving him a solid and rich foundation on which to build his life. Gatherings and sharing countless family memories built bonds that will be carried on and cherished in the life to come.

Randy grew up in Salt Lake City, attending local schools and graduating from the University of Utah with a degree in philosophy. He dreamed of following his father as an attorney, who founded a prominent firm, Kirton McConkie, and also served as general legal counsel of the LDS church. But this was not to be, one of the great disappointments of Randy’s life. In lieu of a law profession, he entered real estate. He developed many residential neighborhoods along the Wasatch Front.

During the early eighties, amid skyrocketing federal prime rates, as high as 19%, Randy was forced to diversify business, and along with two partners, purchased a skilled nursing facility, which started a career in post-acute medical care.

Randy bore an entrepreneurial spirit and a remarkable work ethic. His children remember he left for work early in the morning and often returned well into the night, day after day, year after year. From those humble beginnings Randy grew his business, often at great personal financial risk, from a single nursing facility to a family of post-acute and senior housing and care companies, which owned and managed over fifty skilled nursing facilities in five states. Ancillary businesses to the 50 facilities serving the post-acute patients were started or joint ventured. Eventually, a senior pharmacy company, a physical therapy company, and a home health company were added to the core company. Randy led or joint ventured these companies for over forty years with honor and integrity. He never retired, working virtually until the day he died. Taking great pride in serving the seniors of those communities in which he served, Randy fostered a business culture and reputation in an industry often criticized in reputation.

On November 15, 1973, Randy was sealed to the love of his life Janet Kartchner in the Salt Lake Temple. Their marriage has spanned 52 years, six sons, and twenty-two grandchildren—an adventure of triumph and great challenge, with unwavering loyalty and eternal commitment. With the gift of his eternal companion, Randy’s focus changed from time to Eternity. On the brink of Eternity he stated, “There are no words to express the depth of my love for my Queen and eternal companion - - Janet.” Randy and Janet referred to their children and grandchildren as the ‘jewels in our crown’.

Possessing a profound sense of duty, Randy strove to live up to the legacy set by his progenitors with religious and humanitarian service. He served faithfully as an LDS missionary in Washington DC, twice as an LDS Bishop, other ward and stake callings, and finally as an inner-city service missionary. Above all, he held his service as a husband and father as his core and highest duty.

To Randy fatherhood was sacred. He battled depression and other illnesses which afflicted two of his sons relentlessly over decades; he spared no resource, neither time, nor energy, nor expense, often traveling across the country and reading dense medical journals, to provide the highest level of care possible for his beloved family. A unique and talented problem solver, he brought the skills honed running successful businesses and his deep abiding faith to bear on behalf of his family and those he loved.

Above all a disciple of Jesus Christ—at times when all appeared difficult and unsolvable, seemingly alone, with little hope, nonetheless he resolved to do good and held fast to his faith. He endured to the end—sustained, guided, and anchored by his testimony and relationship with his Savior Jesus Christ, and his heavenly Father.

He is survived by his wife, Janet, six sons, Randy Jr., Byron, Greg, Roland, Hyrum, Spencer, their wives, and twenty-two grandchildren.

A visitation will be held on Monday, March 2, 2026 from 6:00pm to 7:30pm at 8170 S Short Hills Drive, Cottonwood Heights, UT 84121 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Funeral services will be held at the same address at 11:00am Tuesday, March 3, 2026, and will be preceded by a viewing from 9:30am to 10:45am. Entombment will be at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park.