JOHN RAY "JOHNNY" JETTON ~ Class of 1960
May 23, 1942 - June 15, 2009

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Johnny R. Jetton of Des Moines, WA took God's hand and entered the gates of heaven on the late evening of June 15, 2009. God knew that Johnny was suffering... in pain. He also knew in Heaven, Johnny would never hurt again. He saw the road was getting tough and the hills were hard to climb, so he closed Johnny's weary eyes and whispered "I'll walk with you." It broke our hearts to lose him, so we didn't let him go alone – a part of us went with him the night God called Johnny home.

Johnny was born on May 23, 1942 in Harris, OK. His family moved to Richland in 1945. His friendship with Barbara Haugen ('60) began when they were 13 years old. They married on June 8, 1963.

John graduated from Eastern Washington University in 1965 with a Bachelor of Arts in Education. John taught Industrial Arts in Cheney Jr. High for one year after graduation, he owned an Inventory Service Company in Tampa, FL for three years, became involved in the fabric business for ten years, and eventually became vice president of Fashion Fabrics in Salt Lake City, UT. After returning to the Northwest, he owned and operated several businesses. He has been retired for a number of years.

He is survived by his life-long companion Barbara, their three wonderful children, Joni Hall and husband Don Hall, David Jetton and wife Lori, and Nancy Phillips. Joni and Don blessed him with five grandchildren: Brianne, Brennen, Hillary, Ryley and Kailey. David and Lori blessed him with Nathan and Matthew and Nancy blessed him with Jonah, Nicholas and Jaycee.

He is also survived by his brother Curtis Jetton ('57) and wife Carole (niece Cary and nephew Garrett), and his sister, Joyce Jetton Higgins ('62) and husband Eugene (niece Shannon and nephew Shane).

His loving parents preceded him in death, as well as a sister-in-law Sharon Jetton and nephew, Gregory Jetton.

A letter written to Barbara and his children during a troubled time in 1990

"A rock stays in the same place all it's life,
Except when the wind and rain turn it to sand
Then it journeys distances and explores other lands
We need the rock and we need the sand,
for they too are part of life
May our grains of sand blow side by side
I love you and God be with you -John / Dad

The service to celebrate the legacy of our dear loved one will be held at Yahn & Sons Funeral Home on Wednesday, June 24, 2009, at 2pm. Viewing will be on Tuesday, June 23rd from 5pm - 7pm.

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