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John Sanford Hazelton, 93, of Hamilton, Mont. passed away Thursday evening, Oct. 10, following a brief stay in hospice care at Marcus Daly Hospital. He was born Sept. 25, 1920, in St. Louis, Mo., the son of Harry Jr. and Lucille Taylor (Bernard) Hazelton.
John and wife Ruth had moved to Sapphire Lutheran Homes in the Bitterroot Valley from Las Vegas in 2007.
A graduate of Washington University in St. Louis, John joined the United States Navy, trained in San Diego and served in the Solomon Islands during World War II. He attended both McCormick and Chicago Theological Seminaries in Chicago, earning his Bachelor of Divinity degree at McCormick in 1956. He earned a Master of Divinity degree and, in later life, did his doctoral work at Austin Seminary in Texas.
John was ordained a pastor by the Presbytery of Detroit, Michigan, at Dodge Community House in 1957. He then established a storefront ministry in urban Detroit. He answered a call from the Presbyterian Church of Mexico and, after a year of Spanish studies in Costa Rica, served eight years between 1964 to 1972 as an industrial evangelist in the cities of Monterrey and Mexico City. He moved back to the states with his wife and three children to serve a rural congregation in Columbus Grove, Ohio and in 1980 transferred to a church on the southern border in Laredo, Texas. Following retirement in 1986, he served scattered small congregations in the mountains of northern New Mexico.
John's focus as a pastor was on service to individuals. His theology was about making Christianity relevant to daily life. Industrial evangelism, which was his area of endeavor as a missionary, aimed to bring the Gospel and the church to factory workers and people in working class neighborhoods, making a positive difference in everyday lives, both materially and spiritually. In his preaching, John often chose passages from the Old Testament and was particularly good at interpreting those stories in a way that illuminated contemporary issues and everyday life challenges.
John is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Harry; and two sisters, Mary Frances and Barbara Ann.
John is survived by Ruth; a son, Andrew, of Arlington, Mass., and his children, Joseph and Iris; daughter, Laura and husband, Tony Jimerson, of El Paso, Texas, and their son, Jayden; and daughter, Barbara Ann and husband, Justin Stewart, of Hamilton and their daughters Fern and Laurel. Also surviving are several beloved nieces and nephews in the United States and Europe, their children and grandchildren, as well as numerous friends, both here and abroad.
A loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather, John was admired by all who knew him for his intellect, gentle nature, spirit of service, good humor and keen reverence for the wonders of the natural world. He will be dearly missed.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at First Presbyterian Church, 1220 West Main in Hamilton with Rev. Janet Malone officiating. A reception will follow in the fellowship hall.
The family suggests that memorials be made to the Marcus Daly Hospice Endowment Fund, 1200 Westwood Dr., Hamilton, MT 59840 or to the First Presbyterian Church of Hamilton or of Las Vegas, NM 87701.
Condolences may be left for the family at www.dalyleachchapel.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
2 Entries
To Ruth and family.
Our thoughts and prayers go to you during this hard time. I'll always remember the fond times when u guys helped build our house with Habitat and for being great friends. May Gods peace and comfort be upon u.
Francisco and Fabiola Sanchez
October 21, 2013
John, you will be dearly missed for your commitment to justice, both in Las Vegas and elsewhere. Thank you for your activism. Love to your beloved Ruth and all the family.
pat leahan
October 20, 2013
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