John Morton Funeral

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Obituary

John Morton, age 79, passed away peacefully at home on November 11th, 2024, surrounded by his loving wife and 3 daughters.

John dedicated 53 years of his life to the Kingsport Times News, where he was a valued employee. In addition to his work at the newspaper, he was a lifelong farmer, finding joy and purpose in the land and animals he tended to. Above all, John was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. He cherished his grandchildren and took great pride in watching them grow.

John is preceded in death by his parents Valen and Elizabeth Morton and son John David Morton Jr. Those left to cherish his memory are his devoted wife of 41 years Cynthia. Daughters, Joy Douglas, Anne(Jason) Horton, Jonna(Brian) Rock. Beloved grandchildren, Michael Peters, Justin(Julie) Douglas, Blake and Hayley Horton and Emmy and Ellie Rock.

John will be deeply missed by all who knew him and remembered for his kindness, hardwork and the love he gave to his family.

The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to the hospice team at Amedisys for their compassionate care during John’s final days.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, November 16th, 2024, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at East Lawn Funeral Home in Kingsport. A memorial service will follow with Pastor Justin Daniels officiating.

Pray

Roy Hull

Song

Laura a Friend of the family posted this about John

He was such a wonderful person. And I mean that. I hate when people all of a sudden become saints in others eyes just because they’re gone. But I’ve got nothing but good and happy memories of him my whole life. I guess I’ve never thought much about it, but I don’t remember him ever being truly angry or unkind. He was just always John. Doing wild farmer John things, always working outside, fussing with your momma, getting tickled at himself, accidentally getting himself injured/cutting off body parts, always smiling, being genuinely happy to see everyone who came by, loving people, and making popcorn every night in the old laundry room microwave. For some reason when I think of him, I always picture him going into the old laundry room and making popcorn first. I’m so so sorry that he’s gone.

Cynthia and the family shared some stories about John

They don’t make men like John anymore

Hand stuck in a hay bailor

Wrapped it up with an old towel

Drove himself to the emergency

He would do whatever he could to help others

He was the kind of dad that would make cookies when he got off work for the girls when the needed it.

He was a problems solver would always find a way to get the job done.

He Loved His kids and his grandchildren

When Cynthia would say no to the girls they would all go to him.

Before he passed John found a way to tell each daughter I love you before he passed and kissed them all.

Shinaigans

Chased a bull with Merceadies on the way to church

Most importantly He loved Jesus

There is no doubt that John will be missed.

Some of us have had more time to process this than others but we still miss him

Knowing that we would give anything just to share one more moment with him

I’m certain that John would want us to know two things

To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord

The significance of us putting our hope in Jesus as Lord.

It’s going to be Okay…  Because, Jesus is sufficient to carry us through this season: (our anger, our hurt, our fears, and our sadness.)

John 11

• Jesus has three friends Mary, Martha, & Lazarus

• Lazarus becomes deathly ill

• They sent for Jesus

• Jesus came three days late

• Lazarus dies

John 11:20-21

Martha’s Response

When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

• Mary says the same thing a couple of verses later

• Martha was angry & Mary was hurt.

• Jesus was ok with both

Jesus can handle our anger and our hurts

• Jesus did not scold them for feeling the way that they did

Did not make excuses

Jesus wept with them

He met them where they were at

• He simply gave them what they needed most (himself)

That is what he does today for you.

• You might be angry

• You might be hurt

• Jesus is big enough to handle anything you can throw at him

• Jesus is here to walk with you

He is a God that is able to meets our greatest emotional needs.

Although Jesus was there to comfort them in this horrific moment, there was a truth that he wanted them to understand in the midst of all this.

Jesus is not just sufficient for this moment he is sufficient for eternity

John 11:25-27

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

27 “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

• Know that if you are hurting, sad, confused, grieving or angry but Jesus wants to walk with you through this moment

• But Jesus also wants to walk with you and offer you  peace, and comfort for eternity through trusting him as Lord.

If we are to take anything away from this moment, trust in Jesus as Lord and let him meet your greatest need your need for a savior.

Through Faith In Jesus Death Does Not Have The Final Word

1Cor. 15:51-54

Listen, I tell you a mystery:  We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.  For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.  For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.  When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true:  “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”

Death Does Not Have The Final Word

• There is victory through faith in Jesus Christ as Lord

• There is hope in Jesus Christ as Lord

• Even though you may experience sadness Jesus is the prince of peace.

The Truth is…

Today, we do want to remember

we want to remember ,

the life John lived

the kindest he showed

lessons he taught us

the words he shared with us

But remember this, he is with the Lord.  In this moment John is the best that he has ever been.  He’s okay.

Know that through Jesus you can be ok too.

Closing Prayer  - Justin Daniel

Prayer

Father, we come before you and ask that you help us to remember that even on a day like today you are still good and you are still God.  Father these families have seen your kindness through you trusting them with their loved ones and now I ask that you provide them the strength to trust them back to You.  We pray these things in Jesus’s name.  Amen.