May 21, 1936 – May 4, 2024

Wayne Wilbur Morton, 87, passed away on May 4, 2024, in Loveland, Colorado.
Wayne was born on May 21, 1936, in Hayden, Colorado. His parents, Victor and Vernice Morton, moved from Goodland, Kansas, just three days before, to settle in Routt County Colorado. They lived in Mt. Harris for a few years before purchasing the ranch at Tow Creek. Wayne started first grade at the Tow Creek school and continued there through the eighth grade. He then went to Hayden Union High School and graduated in 1954. While in high school, he played in most sports, but excelled in wrestling. He was named the “Outstanding Wrestler of the Western Slope” at the State Tournament in Grand Junction in 1953.
Wayne earned a scholarship to wrestle for the college in Greeley, now called University of Northern Colorado. He suffered a career ending knee injury his Freshman year.
Wayne met Olive Pearson while at school in Greeley, and the two were married there on December 29, 1956. They moved to the ranch at Tow Creek and later had two children, Lonnie Wayne and Vicki Rae.
Wayne worked construction for several years where he helped build the highway over Rabbit Ears Pass. Wayne also worked construction on the new power plant being built near Hayden. When construction was complete, he went to work for Colorado-Ute Electric Co., in the operation of that power plant. He later became the Operations Superintendent in 1974.
Colorado -Ute built the power plant at Craig, Colorado, and in 1982 Wayne was named Regional Operations Manager, with responsibility for the operation and maintenance of both the Hayden and Craig power plants.
Wayne loved horses and owned and trained them beginning in high school when he bought his first horse. He trained that first horse to be a roping horse, and he participated in local roping clubs for several years. Wayne and his family eventually started Morton’s Appaloosas. They bred and raised Appaloosa horses for many years and showed them all over the nation.
Wayne and his wife were 4-H leaders for many years and developed a Horse Breeding Program as one of their programs for 4-H kids. They also taught Horse Breeding seminars for Colorado Mountain College and managed many horse shows over the years.
Wayne was an avid deer and elk hunter and loved to fish. He was still living on the Tow Creek ranch when he became ill. He developed a cancer which ended his life on May 4, 2024.
Wayne Morton is survived by his son Lonnie (Sonja) and daughter Vicki Morton Burford (Bill). Four Grandchildren: Morgan Burford, Billy Burford (Carson), Natalie Morton Novak (Devin), and Nicole Morton, and former wife, Olive Morton. He is also survived by one brother, Vern (Sally) Morton. Wayne was preceded in death by his parents Victor and Vernice Morton, and brother Ken. Services will be held at the Yampa Valley Funeral Home, 11 a.m., Friday, May 17, 2024. Interment will be in the Steamboat Springs cemetery.