Brian Orton

September 3, 1949 - December 25, 2021

Racine-Brian Orton, 72, passed away at his residence on Christmas Day, December 25, 2021. Brian was born to the late Myland and Ruby (nee Luedtke-Orton) Pokovich on September 3, 1949, in Racine. He was united in marriage to Cathy Wolfe on April 28, 1973, at United Methodist Church in Union Grove, Wisconsin. They were married for 47 years until Cathy’s passing in February of 2021. Brian served his country in the United States Army as an infantryman. He was stationed in Germany during the Vietnam War. After the army, Brian worked for Goodwill Industries and then worked at InSinkErator for 5 years. He decided to go back to school to earn his associate degree in engineering. Upon graduation, Brian worked for McGraw-Edison for 7 years and then worked for Ruud Lighting. Brian retired from Ruud Lighting in 2009. He enjoyed music, his favorite decades being the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s. Brian played bar league softball and then played softball for Domanik and Borzynski's. He was a huge fan of all Wisconsin sports, such as the Green Bay Packers, Wisconsin Badgers, Milwaukee Brewers, and Milwaukee Bucks. Above all, Brian was a devoted husband and father. He cared deeply for his family and friends. Brian will be deeply missed by his son, Derek (Melissa) Orton; grandchildren: Braden, Aaron, Caleb, and Nora; brother, Robert (Marcella “Marcy”) Orton; and several other relatives and friends. Brian is predeceased by his wife, Cathy Orton. A private inurnment with full military honors will be held at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery on a later date. Memorials in Brian’s name may be directed to Wisconsin Humane Society Racine Campus (8900 16th St, Mt Pleasant, WI 53177), The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA.org), and /or The American Cancer Society – Wisconsin (PO Box 902, Pewaukee, WI 53072).