John Thurman Britton, oldest son of Allie (Wilkinson) and Rev. John Leonard Britton was born September 29, 1928 at Huzzah, Missouri and passed away Wednesday, January 21, 2015 at St. John's Mercy in St. Louis, Missouri at the age of 86 years, 3 months and 22 days. He married his childhood friend and sweetheart, Ava Gay Smith on August 5, 1948. John began a teaching career in Washington County, Missouri after attending Flat River Junior College, now known as Mineral Area College. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1951, spending a year in Korea. During his service he was awarded the American Spirit of Honor Medal, out of 5,000 service members in basic training. After serving in the military, John and Ava and their two daughters, Patricia Kay and Jane Esther moved to Los Angeles where John was employed as an electrical engineer by the radar division of ITT Gilfillan. While working for ITT, John extended his assignments in Central Europe, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Azores, Portugal, Spain and several locations in the U.S. During his time at ITT he finished his electrical engineering degree at the University of California-Northridge along with several hours of post-graduate classes of law and French. After twenty years with ITT, John took early retirement and he and his family returned to Crawford County, Missouri in 1974, where they became active in the family businesses with his two brothers, Alfred and Don. John ran Franklin Variety in Cuba, worked actively in the Britton Funeral Homes, and was the broker of Century 21  Britton Associates. John was an active member, deacon, and taught the Adult Men's Sunday School class at First Baptist Church, Cuba. In 1983, they moved to Steelville and purchased the funeral home which is now known as Britton-Bennett Funeral Home. While living in Steelville, John was also a very active deacon and taught the Adult Men's Sunday School Class for many years at the First Baptist Church. John had been President of the local Gideon Camp, served as President of the Meramec Regional Development Corp., Chairman of the Steelville Community Park committee, member of the Lebanon Lodge #77 AF & AM of Steelville, receiving his 50 year pin in 2012, member of the Order of the Eastern Star # 398 of Cuba and member of the 32nd Degree Mason Scottish Rite of St. Louis, President of the Steelville Community Foundation, Chairman of the Steelville Planning and Zoning Commission for six years, Chairman of the Crawford County Red Cross for ten years, Board of Director for the Steelville Telephone Exchange for nine years, President of the Steelville Chamber of Commerce, member of the Community Betterment Committee and President of the Steelville Industrial Development Authority. John never missed an opportunity to make contacts to bring jobs and or business to the Steelville or Cuba area. He was awarded the 1990 Steelville Chamber of Commerce's "Person of the Year", "Missouri's Best", presented by State Treasurer Wendell Bailey, Missouri Community Betterment Leadership Award by Gov. John Ashcroft, and Extension Leader Honor Roll by UMR in "recognition of his work in helping develop and carry out local outreach extension programs;" and received a certificate of appreciation from the American Legion for "Outstanding Patriotism and Generosity of Community, State and Nation." He also received the 2005 Eugene E. Northern Award by the Missouri's MRPC for  his "enthusiasm, optimism, confidence, commitment, determination and leadership" in the Steelville community and Meramec Region. Some of the other accomplishments John was most proud of was the planning and construction of the Meramec Music Theatre in Steelville, the Country Kitchen family restaurant in Cuba and the recent restoration and renovation of the Fleming building in Cuba. He had a love for his Lord and spent time in God's Word every day, a love for his country and for his family. Ava and John enjoyed 66 years together. His greatest pride and joy were in his children, grandchildren and his great-grandchildren. He will be sadly missed by his wife of sixty-six years, Ava Britton of Cuba, MO; two daughters, Patti Campbell and husband Bruce and Jane Eads and husband Steve all of Cuba, MO; two sisters, Opal Wilkerson and husband Joe of Potosi, MO and Erma Lee Holley and husband Darrell of O'Fallon, MO; one brother, Donald Britton and wife Madeline of Cuba, MO; one sister-in-law, Barbara Britton Walls of Potosi, MO; four grandchildren, Stephen Eads and wife Nikki, Jason Eads and fiance', Lesa Ray, Jonna Leonard and husband Jeff and Jennifer Smith and husband Ryan; seven great-grandchildren, Britton Smith, Isaac Hunter Smith, Ella Eads, Harrison Eads, Samuel Thomas Leonard, Elijah Jones and Ava Leonard (still to come); other relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Rev. John Leonard Britton and Allie May Wilkinson Britton; brother, Alfred J. Britton; and three sisters, Marie and husband Rev. Harry Darst, Delorce and husband Rev. Freeman Gibson, Beulah Akers and husband Charles; and father and mother-in-law, Hunter Isaac Smith and Jeannette (Ruthledge) Smith Loughary; and brother-in-law, James "Jim" Smith. The Family received friends from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 25, 2015 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, MO. Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 26, 2015 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, MO with Rev. Kevin Farr officiating. Kent Howald shared the eulogy. Special music of "Precious Memories" was sung by Jonna Leonard, Jennifer Smith and Nikki Eads. Other music of "Beulah Land" was sung and played by Rev. Jerry Beers. Prelude and postlude were played by Marilyn Darst. Committal prayer and burial with Full Military Honors by the U.S. Air Force and VFW were in the Caledonia Methodist Church Cemetery in Caledonia, MO. Honored to be casket bearers were Steve Eads, Stephen Eads, Jason Eads, Bruce Campbell, Ryan Smith and Jeff Leonard with Honorary Kevin Britton and Ronald Britton. The Family was served by the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, MO.