John Britton

BRITTON, John Henry, passed away June 5, 2004. Born in London, England in 1923 he was a keen and talented sportsman. In 1966 a fall at home left him paralyzed and he soon became a champion for paraplegics throughout England. As a member of the committee of the Stoke Mandeville Games, from which the Paralympic Games evolved, he represented England, winning numerous medals. He established the first spinal injuries unit in Nairobi, Kenya and framed the country's Paralympic team, winning himself a gold medal for freestyle swimming in 1972. In 1974 as an associate professor in Sports Medicine at Northern Illinois University he won numerous awards for his work in rehabilitation, John was a deacon at the First Baptist Church, Brandon, singing in the choir and joining the Brandon Pops. He leaves his widow, Donna, whom he married in 1975; and two daughters, Ann and Tricia, who both live in England. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, 2 p.m. at Bell Shoals Baptist Church. No flowers please. Don ations may be made in his memory to Bell Shoals Baptist Church Missions Fund, 2102 Bell Shoals Road, Brandon, FL 33511.