John William Dorton

John William "J.W." Dorton was born to Melvin Elbert "Bill" and Betty Opal (Whitehead) Dorton on August 27, 1929, near Cookietown, Oklahoma and departed this life in Burkburnett, Texas on February 12, 2012 at the age of 82 years, 5 months and 16 days. J.W. grew up at Cookietown, attending Union Valley Schools. He married Delores Mae Thomas on August 9, 1950 at Lawton. They made their home in the Cookietown area until moving to Devol in 1958. J.W. was a lifelong farmer, rancher and cattle buyer. He also served as a deputy for the Cotton County Sherriff's Department and was on the Devol City Council. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Devol where he was ordained as a Deacon in 1962. Through the years he enjoyed coon hunting, rodeos, going to country and western and bluegrass singings, raising chickens, trading dogs, raising a garden and feeding the town out of it. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Betty; 3 brothers, Sonny, Jimmy and Charles Dorton; 3 brothers-in-law, Alvin Briscoe, Herman Higgerson and Don Mattlock; a sister-in-law, Louise Stengl; a daughter-in-law, Elwanda Dorton; a great granddaughter, Katie Lenn Bates. He is survived by his wife, Delores Dorton of the home; a daughter, Becky McElreath and Wes of Burkburnett, TX; 3 sons, Ronnie Dorton and Anna of Wichita Falls, TX, Johnny Dorton and Lisa of Randlett, OK, Lonnie Dorton and Teresa of Ft. Worth, TX; 2 sisters, Betty Higgerson of Lawton, OK and Dorothy Briscoe of Walters; 4 grandsons, Lance Stewart, Blake Stewart and Tiffany, Kyle Dorton and Lindsey, Ryan Dorton and Stephanie; 4 granddaughters, Regina Laminack and Scot, Tara Pearson and Kurt, Kim Bates and Paul, and Ruth Dorton; 5 great granddaughters, McKenna, Katelyn, April, Prissie, Reagan; 6 great grandsons, Kamden, Cash, Curtis, Jayden, Rylan and Lawson; 3 sisters-in-law, Lenora Stanford, Mary Matlock, Daisy Thomas and husband Larry; a brother-in-law, Cladie Thomas, Jr. and wife Phillys; several nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.