John Richard Britton

John passed away June 26, 2024, at Pine Hills Assisted Living, Hot Springs, SD.

John was born in Lead, SD, on January 14, 1928, to John Charles and Marion Henrietta (Pomeroy) Britton. He lived in southwestern SD on various farms, working with family. At 14 he left home, went to Nebraska and worked with farmers and ranchers. He returned to his family before leaving after joining the U.S. Army. John was a WWII veteran, having served in Occupied Japan during the reconstruction after the bombing.

On discharge from the Army, he bought a gas station in Hot Springs for a short while. He met Ruth Marvin (Pond) at Deadwood Days of '76 and fell in love with the love of his life. They were married October 14, 1949; he gained two daughters with this union: Ruth Virginia and Cynthia Christine. He went to work at the Black Hills Ordinance (Army) Depot (Igloo) and in the years following Norine Ella, John Joseph, and Jackie George were born.

Due to the closing of the base at Igloo in 1965, the family was transferred to Ft Irwin, Barstow, CA, then to Presidio, San Francisco CA where he retired in 1973 and returned to Hot Springs, SD. John and Ruth treated this time as an extended vacation and visited and traveled on his off time.

On return to Hot Springs, they settled on the Argyle, and he worked for TA Bonde at Maverick Truck Stop, delivering gas all around southwestern SD, He loved the job and visiting and talking to his customers. John loved to play cards, games and tinkering with the brothers and brother-in-laws. They had been married over 50 years when Ruth passed away in 2000.

John is survived by daughters Cynthia Benton (James), and Norine Baird (Robert) of Hot Springs SD; 24 grandchildren; 27 great grandchildren; 17 great-great grandchildren; several sister/brother-in-laws; numerous nieces and nephews; friends and acquaintances.

John is preceded in death, by his parents, wife, son, John Joseph, infant son, Jackie George; daughter, Ruth Virginia Braddish (Charles); brothers, Robert, Jesse, Charles (Lester), sisters; Marion Dodd, Karen McCleery; grandson Rudy Toman and great-grandson Cody Toman and 6 brother/sister in laws.

Gravesite services will be held July 10, 2024 at 11 am at the Pringle Cemetery, Pringle SD. Please bring a chair to the cemetery.

Arrangements have been placed in the care of Chamberlain McColley's Funeral Home in Hot Springs, SD.