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John Middleton Obituary

John Gregg Middleton passed away peacefully at his home in Houston, Texas on Tuesday, the 14th of May 2013 at the age of 71. John was born on the 23rd of July 1941 in Houston, Texas to Triphene Swindle and Randall Mayes Middleton. He had one brother, David Mayes Middleton, deceased. He was the grandson of the late Effie Mayes and Archie David Middleton of Wallisville, Texas. John spent his youth in Liberty, Texas and was the valedictorian of the Liberty High School class of 1959. He continued his education at the University of Texas in Austin, receiving a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration in 1964 and a Doctorate of Jurisprudence in 1966. At the University, John was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, the Phi Eta Sigma honors society and the distinguished Texas Cowboys service organization. Upon completion of his degrees, John moved back to Liberty, Texas to begin his law practice, specializing in wills and estates. In 1972, John founded Middleton Oil Company, subsequently drilling and operating numerous wells in Webb, Colorado and Chambers counties. Following his brother's death in 1982, John took over management of his family's ranching, cattle and farming businesses. He cherished his life and friends in Liberty and became an active member of its community. John served on the Board of Directors for the First Liberty National Bank since 1969 and on the Board for the Magnolia Ridge Country Club for many years. He was appointed to serve on the board of the Trinity River Authority in 1979 by Governor Bill Clements. John was an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Liberty, where his mother built the Middleton chapel in 1980. He also served on many local and district church committees and taught Sunday school for nine years. John was a past Liberty City Councilman, a member of the Liberty Lodge #48, A.F. & A.M. and the Liberty County Historical Society. When his beloved son, David Mayes Middleton, II, was born in 1981, John renovated and moved into the Wallisville house his late grandparents built in 1906. His happiest times were spent raising Mayes. John, Mayes and Gammy spent most evenings after school together in Wallisville and they took many wonderful trips around the world each summer. An avid Texas historian, John honored his family's Chambers County legacy by founding the Wallisville Heritage Park in 1979. He was also an integral member of the Texas Historical Foundation and served as its president in 1982. John was a collector of many things, including antique cars, Texana (Texas memorabilia) and Victorian-era décor. John had a wonderful memory and was a fabulous storyteller. John was an active member of the Middleton Memorial United Methodist Church in Wallisvile, which was built by his parents in 1954. For its 50th anniversary, John renovated the church and rededicated it with his son in memory of John's mother, Triphene, in 2004. John served as a lay leader of MMUMC. He spent his last years at his home in Houston, Texas, enjoying long visits with his friends and family and handing down the family business to his son, Mayes. He was compassionate, charming and a wonderful host. John considered Mayes his greatest accomplishment. John's son, Mayes, would like to extend heartfelt thanks for the love and support shown to John over the past few years by his friends, family, caregivers and his much-loved housekeeper Lorenia Martinez. John Middleton is survived by his son, David Mayes Middleton, II, his wife Macy and many friends. A memorial service is to be conducted at half-past eleven o'clock in the morning on Friday, the 17th of May, at Middleton Memorial United Methodist Church, 2241 Wallisville Liberty Road in Wallisville, where Dr. Jerry House, and Rev. Randy Carrion, Pastor, are to officiate. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception at a nearby venue to be announced at the service. Prior to Friday morning's service, the family will have gathered for a private interment at Wallisville Cemetery, where John will be buried alongside his father, mother and brother. In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be made to Wallisville Heritage Park Foundation, P.O. Box 16, Wallisville, TX, 77597; the Middleton Memorial United Methodist Church of Wallisville, P.O. Box 75, Wallisville, TX, 77597; or to the charity of one's choice.

Published by The Beaumont Enterprise on May 16, 2013.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315A

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Memories and Condolences
for John Middleton

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We miss you.

December 11, 2013

John Middleton was always so thoughtful and kind. He has been our friend for over 45 years. He will be missed but I know he and my husband Jimmy have already connected in heaven. May God bless you as you go through this difficult time without him.
Jeanne Moses

June 10, 2013

On Christmas Eve, December, 2011, John's friends from college Bob and Nancy Wilbur were in Hawaii (Lahaina, Maui) as was I. Bob and Nancy and I had asked John to join us over there, although we knew that his health at the time probably wouldn't allow it. We had recently sent him flowers in the hospital. When Nancy and Bob and their daughter Paige and I got together for an after church late dinner on Christmas Eve (on the front porch of an old mansion restaurant that looked a little like John's place at Wallisville, only smaller), we found that John had sent us such a large and georgeous arrangement of native Hawaiian tropical flowers that it almost completely filled the table ! None of us will ever forget it. It was typical of his generosity through the years.

June 5, 2013

John and I were SAE Pledges in 1959.
He was liked and respected by everyone in our pledge class. I'm better for having known John...Ned Torian

May 25, 2013

He was a true southern gentleman and loved to send flowers and notes of love and encouragement to his numerous friends. We will miss his smile and his joy. Leon Stephens

David Brown Flowers

May 20, 2013

Betsy Mecom

May 19, 2013

Macy and Mayes ,
I cannot let my dear Grandmother's love for your father go by
Without expressing her feeling for your Dad. Your Dad could do no wrong according to, Mammy, Mrs Louise (Harvey ) Mecom.
Dave ,Lannie and I knew John would always be her favorite.
Our families go way back with wonderful memories all together.
Mammy will take care of your Dad and Lile in Heaven.
Betsy Mecom(Colorado)

May 19, 2013

I will always treasure the wonderful gift of his friendship. The world is a sadder place now that he is gone. He will be missed.
Judge Annette Kuntz

May 19, 2013

I will always treasure the wonderful gift of his friendship. The world is a sadder place now that he is gone.
He will be missed.
Judge Annette Kuntz

May 19, 2013

I met John when I was Mayes' fifth grade math teacher. I remember his devotion to his son and to our school. I always enjoyed getting their Christmas card showing pictures of the travels they had taken together. Two of my favorite memories were attending Mayes 11th birthday party with the entire fifth grade class. The kids had so much fun...and so did I! The popcorn machine was a big hit. Then, later that year on a Sunday evening, John had a car come pick up the four of us (Mayes' teachers) and treat us to a wonderful dinner at his historic home. We had a great evening, particularly sharing stories of our family heritage in Texas. I know Mayes has turned into a wonderful young man to the credit of his loving family and grounded roots.

Diana Kokernot

May 18, 2013

I will always remember John's generosity and hospitality toward the ladies in our office. John shared offices in Maralo, LLC for several years and we all got to know him. He was a real southern gentleman. He will be missed by many friends and especially his son, Mayes.

Barbara Hendry

May 16, 2013

I will always cherish the thirty-two years of friendship and memories of Mr. Middleton. His smile and charming personalty will never be forgotten. We will miss him at the Grotto Ristorante.

Mary Donna Moceri

May 15, 2013

John Middleton was the epitome of a true gentleman; always gracious and lovely in every way. I will miss his extraordinary, thoughtful Christmas cards-each one told a story. John was proudest of the card he sent with the picture Mayes and Macy on their wedding day. I spoke with him after that and he was anxiously awaiting the card that would feature his grandchild. I offer my most heartfelt condolences, Mayes and Macy. May God continue to bless you.

Colette Leonard

May 15, 2013

Since I lived only 2 houses down from John and Dave, they are in every birthday picture in my scrapbook from 1940 to 1947. Sue Wilson, Judy Burch, Amy Watts, Ed Pickett, Johnny Ager, Clifford Acker, John Archer, Martha Sue Cochran, Frank Neal Griffin as I remember. Those were very happy times even though we knew about The War and the little red ration tokens and sugar rationing. John and I talked many times in detail about those days in phone calls in recent years. John was a dear boyhood friend. Please accept my sympathy and sympathy also from my little sister (now age 65) Jan, who John was always very sweet to.

Dale Johnson

May 15, 2013

A wonderful man who I respected greatly.Coach Tommy Paulsel

May 15, 2013

I will always treasure your father's memory, his kindness and generosity.

Peter Stines

May 15, 2013

I will remember your Father with fondness,
with sympathy for your loss, I am
Julia Anderson Frankel

May 15, 2013

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