John Riley Boothe
John Riley Boothe passed from this life on April 4, 2025, at the age of 91 in Fairfield, TX.
John was born on November 11, 1933, to John Kenton and Ina Pearl Boothe. Tragedy struck the family early in John’s life when his mother passed away. John was 2 years old. His father tried to keep the family together, consisting of John and his sister Alma Janice Murray who preceded him in death. John and Janice were blessed when Aunt Opal and Uncle John Brantner took the children to raise. They lived in the small town of Girard, TX in the western part of the state. John’s uncle was a cattle rancher and buyer. John helped his uncle in caring for the livestock until he was 19 years old in 1953. He joined the Army and spent 3 years in the military while stationed in Korea until May 1956 when he was discharged.
John met the love of his life Ann Putman in Sept 1955 while John was in the Army. After John was discharged, he and Ann got married July 8, 1956, in Spur, TX.
John was a member of the Church of Christ. He served as a Deacon. The church was always an integral part of their family life. The family were members of several congregations in Texas.
John was always aware of his obligation and privilege to provide for his family. He was always looking for ways to better himself which is why he worked at many different jobs. He worked as a farmer in the south plains of Texas, for TXDOT and the City of Lubbock. He attended TSTC in Waco and graduated from the Diesel Mechanics program in 1968. He then went to work for Darr Equipment in Waco. He went to work for IGC (Texas Utilities) in 1971 and the family moved to Fairfield, TX. He retired in 1992 after 21 years of service as a supervisor.
John is preceded in death by his parents, John Kennon and Ina Pearl Boothe, his sister Janice Murray and her husband Virgil Murray, nephews David Murray and Mark Murray and his foster parents, John and Opal Brantner and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.
He is survived by his wife, Kelcy Ann Boothe, a son Kent Boothe, and his wife Sharon,n and one daughter Jana Ard. Grandchildren Krystal Carroll and husband Clint, Sierra Gerke and husband, Ian, Jonathan Boothe and wife Nicole, Kevin Boothe and wife Ashley, and Rebecca Jones. He is survived by five great-grandchildren. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to extend thanks to Fairfield Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and Solaris Hospice for taking excellent care of John.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Fairfield Church of Christ PO Box 642 Fairfield, Texas 75840.
The memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm Saturday, April 26, 2025, at Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home Chapel with Jason Schick officiating.