Extracted from The Arizona Republic (Phoenix, AZ)
Friday, September 15, 2006

John Thomas Denton

John Thomas Denton, 77, was born January 12, 1929 in Quanah, TX and passed away September 13, 2006. He leaves behind his wife of 58 years, Glenna, his son, James Thomas Denton (Carol Hines Denton) and two grandchildren, Lauren Ashley and Stephen Thomas, John's pride and joy, all of Tempe, AZ. Other survivors, a brother, Billy Denton of Eldorado, OK and his two sons, Terry of Eldorado, Ok and Houston, TX, and Collins of Rowlett, TX, his 91-year-old aunt, Cora Rae McSpadden ``Cagoo'' and her son Charles McSpadden of Quanah, TX and an aunt, Willie Jo Seitz of Texas also survive.

His parents, Collins and Nadine Denton and a sister Colleene McDowell preceded him in death.

John graduated from Eldorado, OK High School and attended Oklahoma A&M, now OSU. He loved his family and also Glenna's family, Grace Mullenix, her daughter Raylene Lutz and grandson Trevor Lutz of Tempe and several cousins. He moved to Yuma in 1948 to marry his high school sweetheart and worked for many years for the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. He was transferred to Tempe in 1969 and had lived here continuously since that time. He later worked for several different tire companies and had a passion for selling. He always told everyone that he was the ``best salesman that ever came down the Pike,'' and he never met a stranger. In later years he worked for Ramsey Radiator as an outside salesman and developed many friends until he was no longer able to drive. John was a devoted member of First Southern Baptist Church on Mill for 36 years. He was a lifetime member of 51 years of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and he loved playing golf when he was able but most of his ``golf buddies'' have gone on before him.

There will be a viewing at Tempe Mortuary, 405 E. Southern Avenue in Tempe on Sunday, September 17 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Funeral services will be at First Southern Baptist Church on Mill at 1300 Mill Avenue, Tempe, on Monday, September 18 at 10:00 a.m. The family requests memorials to The Denton Family Scholarship, C/O ESA Foundation, P.O. Box 31937, Phoenix, AZ 85046-1937.