John Orley Titus

John Orley Titus died on 30 March 2008 in Orem, Utah at the age of 90. He died of congenital heart failure and of complications from breaking his leg.



John was born 4 August 1917 to Walter A. Titus and Delsie Redinger in Camargo, OK. He grew up in Northwestern Oklahoma with four sisters. Somewhere there is a poem he wrote titled "Four Against One". It should have been entitled "Four Spoiled One", because their great love for him. John's easy disposition and gentle heart made any of those who knew him grow to love and respect him.



John was preceded in death by two sisters: Leah Berry and Maclada Titus and Madaline Farris Titus, his wife of 56 ½ years. He is survived by two sisters: Leota Lovett and Glessie Chapman; his present wife, Nola Bird Titus and the families of one daughter, Kay Beal; three foster daughters: Cheryl Petersen, Lois Andersen and Susan Gammon; and nine step-children: Stephen Bird, Marie Lui, Lynn Bird, Birdena Birch, Cleon Bird, Kristene Romer, Theressa Alvey, Clinton Bird and Chadley Bird; and many dear friends.



A veteran of WWII, John was one of the first 100 men to receive "commando" training in Scotland and to serve in the newly formed 1st Ranger Battalion known at "Darby's Rangers". They were almost completely "wiped out" in Italy. John was one of a very few who survived from that elite group of men. He served in combat with General G. Patten's group in North Africa, Sicily and Italy. Among his military decorations was a Bronze Star. John attributed his survival of WWII to his mother's prayers.



John married Madaline Farris on March 2, 1946 in Colorado Springs, Colorado and moved to Utah in 1946. John retired after working 30 years for the Union Pacific Railroad. Their marriage was solemnized in the Provo Temple on February 27, 1999. Madaline and John lived in Springville for 43 years, moving to Provo in 1993. They had been married for 56 years when Madaline died in 2002. John and Madaline influenced many lives for good with their care, love and friendship.



On 3 January 2004, John married Nola J. Bird. Their families are life long friends. Nola's and John's marriage has been a delight to them, their family and their friends.



John had an unyielding sense of integrity and honor. His word was his bond. When John spoke, you knew he was telling the truth . . . unless he was teasing with that "Titus brand" sense of humor.



In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to Primary Children's Medical Center, P.O. Box 58249, Salt Lake City, UT 84158.



Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, 4 April 2008 at the Slate Canyon 9th Ward, 1745 S. State, Provo, UT. There will be a viewing Thursday evening at Wheeler Mortuary, 211 E. 200 S. in Springville from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. and at the church at 10:00 a.m. prior to the funeral services.



Military honors and interment will be at the Evergreen Cemetery, Springville, Utah.



As John's family, we are grateful for the care, love and prayers of so many.