John Davis Raborn Jr.

YORK John Davis Raborn Jr. died at Manor Care Kingston Court Wednesday, January 8, with Davis at his side. John was the son of the late Lavinia (Duplissy) and John Davis Raborn, Sr. of Baton Rouge, La. John is survived by his wife of 70 years, Gloria R. (Arata); his daughter, Gloria Jeanne Nickol; and son, John Davis and his wife Kathy (Myers); grandchildren, Mark Nickol, Laura (Nickol) Michaels (Tim), Tyler and Collin Raborn; great-granddaughters, Ellianah and Kambria Michaels. John and Gloria came to York in 1950, where John managed the shoe department at the Bon Ton in downtown York for Brown Shoe Company. After leaving the Bon Ton, he owned and operated the shoe department at Jack's. From Jack's, he moved a few stores down on West Market Street to open the Yorktowne Bootiere, which eventually moved to the Queensgate Shopping Center. When a customer came into the Yorktowne Bootiere, he or she was treated like family. John always had time to stop to talk to anyone, offer them some coffee served with a bit of southern hospitality. In fact, John never lost the subtle twang of his southern accent. John was born July 19, 1922, in Baton Rouge, La. and grew up in the area of Baton Rouge known as "Dixie" with his five brothers and a sister. John is preceded in death by his brothers, Dewey and Wiley; and his son-in-law, Lynn B. Nickol. He is survived by his sister, Marjorie and her husband Lon Sandifer; his brothers, Robert, Charles and his wife Adrian, and Bill and his wife Margie, and his brother Wiley's wife Alpha Mae (Demint). John served as Superintendent of York County roads for ten years in the '70s. He was a member of Temple Baptist Church, the Riverside Masonic Lodge, the Hawks Club, VFW, 13th Political Ward and the VA. John served in WWII as a pharmacists' mate with the Coast Guard. After his service, John attended LSU law school in Baton Rouge. One of John's greatest love was the farm he and Gloria purchased 50 years ago and named Clearwater Farm, aka "The Farm." John always planted a huge garden. He especially took pride in his tomatoes. John often sent a box of tomatoes to Baton Rouge to show off his crop. Of all that can be said of John, his greatest attribute was his honesty in all things. That tells you everything that one needs to know about him. To those of you who took the journey with John, especially the last two years, I thank you. For those of you who did not, you did indeed miss one hell of a ride! In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to make a donation to Heartland Hospice or a charity of your choice. A visitation will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday, January 18 at the John W. Keffer Funeral Homes and Crematory, Inc., 902 Mt. Rose Avenue, with the funeral beginning at 2 p.m. Internment will be at Roselawn Cemetery in Baton Rouge at the discretion of the family. KefferFHcom