Brian Orton

Brian D. Orton was born in St. Paul, MN on March 24, 1965 and passed away unexpectedly at his home on Saturday, May 7, 2016. He is survived by parents, Douglas and Doris; older brother, Rodney (Bobbi Snider); and fiancée, Theresa Smiley.

He graduated from St. Paul Park High School in 1982 and then graduated from St. Paul Technical College two years later where he learned his skill of machinist, tool and die maker, and worked in that trade his entire working career.

Brian was a talented musician, playing drums in several local bands with his many friends mainly for his personal pleasure when time permitted.

He was a sportsman and nature lover who enjoyed fishing and hunting mostly in MN and WI in all kinds of weather and knew his lures. He was also a sure shot with his shotgun and rifle and even bow and arrow.

Brian enjoyed biking on very long cross country trips often for weeks at a time and also took his motorcycle on an adventurous ride up to Alaska and had several other long trips all around the USA.

He was an ardent reader who enjoyed reading books of all kinds.

Brian was a 3rd degree master mason of Newport Lodge 118 in St. Paul Park and was privileged to wear the same masonic ring worn by his grandfather and father before him. He demitted when his schedule became too full.

He was an active member and former officer in the Alcohol Anonymous program for the last 14 years and now enjoyed a life of sobriety.

He was engaged to be married to Theresa Smiley whom he loved and adored and in the near future would have been married which was prevented by his untimely death.

Visitation 1:30 PM with Memorial Service at 2:30 PM, Friday, May 13, 2016 at Kok Funeral Home, 7676 80th St. S., Cottage Grove, MN, 55016.