Marvin O. Ashton

Who was Marvin O. Ashton?

Marvin Owen Ashton was a general authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1938 until his death. Prior to becoming a general authority, Ashton was a prominent local leader of the LDS Church in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Ashton was born in Salt Lake City, Utah Territory to Mormon parents. He married Rachel Grace Jeremy in 1906 and in 1907 went to England as a missionary for the LDS Church. He returned to Utah in 1909, residing in Salt Lake City. From 1917 to 1924 Ashton was bishop of the church's Wasatch Ward. In 1935, he became president of the church's Highland Stake.

In 1938, Ashton was called as first counselor to LeGrand Richards in the church's presiding bishopric. Ashton and Richards were brothers-in-law, with Ashton's half-sister, Ina Jane, being married to Richards. Ashton served in the presiding bishopric and as a general authority until his death from coronary occlusion in Salt Lake City. Ashton was chairman of the church's General Church Music Committee during his time as a general authority, and he was a frequent contributor to the Improvement Era.

Ashton is the father of Marvin J.