COLTON, John Philip, Jr.

The Prescott Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Friday, July 28, 2006 Tuesday, July 25, 2006, John Philip Colton Jr. passed away peacefully at his home in Peoria, Ariz., with his wife and daughter at his side. John was born in Montclair, New Jersey, March 25, 1939. He met his wife, Simone, while attending Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif. They were married April 1, 1961. John and Simone have two children, Denise Seibert of Lampasas, Texas, and John, III of San Francisco. They also have two grandchildren, David and Caleb. John's parents moved to Glendale, Calif., in 1942. He, and later this family, lived there for 46 years until 1988 when John and Simone moved to Chino Valley, Ariz. They lived in the Chino Valley and Prescott Valley area until 2004 when they moved to Peoria. Although John lost his central vision by the time he was 7-years old, he was not slowed down in business or in participating with others in support of society. During his school years, his father designed and John helped build a beach home in Encinitas, Calif. Three summers when John lived alone at the "beach house" and worked in Encinitas, he developed a great confidence that served him throughout the rest of his life. After graduating from Pierce College with an AA degree in 1961, John worked for the state as a cafeteria manager in the state system for the handicapped. When that didn't work our sufficiently to support his family, he struck out on his own accomplishing some amazing feats in business. First, he developed a small trash and scrub removal service where he cleared lots of fire hazards. Then he studied for and passed the PTJC test to establish a moving business. Later he owned a fleet of diesel trucks that hauled commodities in the Southern California area. After moving to Arizona, John and Simone ran a Potato Chip route, but became best known in the area for his work with the Lion's Club, Salvation Army and Ham Radio as an outward expression of his Christian faith and desire to help others. John also played the piano and keyboard very well. He and Simone played and sang in many churches in the Prescott and Peoria area. John is not only survived by his family, but also his brother, Alan Colton of Escondido, Calif.; and his sister, Susan Ostberg of Harvard, Mass. A service will be held in memory of John at First Southern Baptist Church, 2820 Pleasant View Drive, Prescott Valley, Ariz. at 3 p.m., Sunday, July 30. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Building Fund, First Country Baptist Church, 12844 W. Santa Fe Drive, Surprise, Ariz., 85374. Information provided by survivors.