John Layton

John Layton, 71, of Grants Pass died Friday, Aug. 22, 2008, at his home of cancer. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Community of Christ Church on Harbeck Road. He was born Sept. 29, 1936, in Klamath Falls to Walter and Pearl (Costello) Layton. He attended school in Keno. While in Seward, Alaska, he joined the active National Guard just after his 16th birthday. When he was 17, he joined the Air Force Secret Service. He was a staff sergeant when his tour of duty in Japan ended. He worked at the Pentagon for eight months before being discharged and returning to Oregon. After his honorable discharge, he worked as a logger and heavy equipment operator. He was a long-haul truck driver and driver evaluator for Combined Transport in White City when he retired. His handle was "Step-and-a-half." He was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and he served as a deacon at Community of Christ Church. He enjoyed playing pinochle, dominoes and cribbage, going to Seven Feathers Casino and backyard barbecues. He especially enjoyed fishing, hunting and helping friends and family. In addition to his wife, Marjorie, survivors include a son, John Layton Jr.; three stepchildren, Mike McBriety, Lin Engelhorn and Shannon Wright; two brothers, Jim and Tom Layton; a sister, Lynne Bryant; four grandchildren and four stepgrandchildren.