Katherine Borrett Capell

“If you decide to become a veterinary surgeon you will never grow rich but you will have a life of endless interest and variety.”

― James Herriot, All Creatures Great and Small

Katherine Byrdell Borrett Capell came to this world on 1 September 1955, the 4th of five children born to Elizabeth and Lloyd Borrett. Her childhood was spent in El Paso, Texas. She had fond memories of her childhood home at 2405 Altura. The family spent summers in Ruidoso, New Mexico where Kathy loved to spend time watching horses at the racetrack and playing in the creek near the family cabin. She graduated early from Austin High School and moved to College Station to attend veterinary school at Texas A&M University (Howdy)! She described the 10 hour drive with her dad, a proud University of Texas graduate, as a very silent journey. When Lloyd dropped her off, he unloaded her bags, turned to her, and said: “Of all the colleges in the state of Texas you had to pick this one.” And then he got in the car and left. Over the years, Lloyd was always sure to let Kathy know when his Longhorns beat her Aggies during football season.
After vet school, Kathy moved to northern Utah where she began her practice. Her first love was treating horses and large animals, but she also loved the small animals and they always made up a large portion of her practice. Kathy would treat the animals that no one else would. Somehow, she always found a way to treat the animal that was labeled as untreatable. This meant that she suffered her fair share of bites, breaks, and other miscellaneous injuries over the years, but the comfort and health of the animal was always her primary concern. Kathy long dreamed of designing and building her own veterinary clinic, and this dream came true in 2017. Borrett Animal Hospital was a state of the art building designed to meet the needs of the animals she treated and their humans. She practiced here until her recent retirement.
When Kathy wasn’t working, she was still involved with animals in some way. She loved to ride and over the years she participated in many kinds of horse shows and competitions. Eventing and dressage were special passions of hers that she passed down to her daughter and granddaughter.
Kathy was always learning, and she loved to share what she learned with others. She gave decades of service to the Ogden area Pony Club chapters and to 4-H Horse and Livestock programs throughout the state of Utah, especially in Weber County. Animals and kids just went together, according to Kathy, because they could teach each other so much and give each other joy. Kathy also volunteered with Freedom Riders, a therapeutic riding group for children with disabilities, for over 30 years. She brought her own horses and veterinary expertise to this unique program and eventually became PATH certified so that she could better help the young riders grow and develop.
The recent years since Kathy’s retirement were difficult ones. She missed being the one who helped everyone; she wasn’t used to being the one who received help from other people. We hope that she has reunited with the family, friends, and animals she loved, who crossed the rainbow bridge ahead of her and can once again enjoy the peace of our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
Katherine was preceded in death by her parents, Elizabeth M. Borrett, Lloyd M. Borrett Sr.; her brother Lonnie and sister-in-law Ann Borrett. She is survived by her husband Edward A. Capell of Roy, children: JoAnne (Rex) Christensen of Moroni; Seth (Tiffany) Capell of Little Rock, AR, MaryBeth Capell (Torin Wayment) of Clinton; grandchildren: Zeb, Malynn (Justin), Kelton (Abby), Rance, Bryceon, Damien, Kaycin, Taryn, Ben and James, and great-grandson, Otto. Also survived by brother Walt (Donna) Borrett, sisters Betty (Jerry) Hanlon, and Mayhre (Steve) Brockway.
A graveside service will be held on Thursday, September 25, 2025 at 10 a.m. at Evergreen Memorial Park, 100 North Monroe Boulevard, Ogden, Utah. Services entrusted to Myers Mortuary.
In lieu of flowers or other gifts, her family asks that you consider donating to one of these causes that Kathy loved:
Freedom Riders Therapeutic Riding Group: http://freedomridersutah.com/
Utah State University College of Veterinary Medicine: https://vetmed.usu.edu/give-back