JOHN ALAN COLTON’S TIME OF GRACE 1933 - 2022 John Alan Colton was born January 24, 1933 in El Paso, Texas, the only child of Alan and Ruth Colton. He was baptized by immersion at age 14 at First Baptist Church in El Paso. Both his parents worked on the railroad as dispatchers during the war and thus had to move many times all across Arizona and New Mexico. He attended seven elementary schools and finally settled with his parents in Tucson where he graduated from Tucson High School. He joined the Air Force immediately after high school and served as a gunner on B-29s from 1952 to 1956. He then attended Auto and Diesel Mechanic’s trade school in Los Angeles, CA.
Christian Memorial Service for John Alan Colton January 24, 1933 - February 21, 2022
John was confirmed by Pastor Sitz at Grace Lutheran Church on July 17, 1960. On September 18, 1960 he married Laurette Schnose. God blessed their marriage with four children: Mark (Tamara), Kristina (Craig), Shanda (Steve) and Robert (Natasha). John took to heart his confirmation vows and was very active in church. When the children grew to school age the family transferred to Good Shepherd and later to Redeemer so everyone could be active in church and school. When the children were beyond school age, the family transferred back to “home base” at Grace. In all his churches, John loved choir and sang bass. He helped with Boy Pioneers and served on the Church Council as an Elder. He also served by visiting homebound members and participated in fellowship groups. When John’s health started to deteriorate, he was cared for first at home then at the Aguilera Care Home. There he was happy and content for four years. Thank you to those caregivers and to the pastors and kind people who visited him during his stay there. John took Jesus’ hand early Monday morning, February 21, 2022. He is survived by his wife, 4 children, 11 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren. God blessed John Colton with a time of grace of 89 years and 27 days.
Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church Tucson, Arizona
Teach us to number our days in such a way that we bring a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12
March 18, 2022
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