John William Layton

John, 83, died at home with his family by his side on January 16, 2010 after living with cancer for nearly three years. He was born in Madison, Indiana and spent almost the past 60 years as a resident of Redondo Beach. Enlisting in the army at the age of 18, he served in Germany during World War II in Company C, 39th Infantry Regiment, moving up in the ranks to sergeant. John worked in the aerospace industry for almost a decade and then for the City of Manhattan Beach for 23 years before retiring from his position as water plant operator in 1985. He enjoyed golf and won many city employee tournament trophies over the years, but his favorite past time was tending to his year-round garden. He loved keeping his family, friends and neighbors supplied with fresh organic fruits and vegetables. He also loved baseball and was a big Los Angeles Angels fan. Survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Ruby Layton of Redondo Beach; twin daughters, Amber Fowler (Kerry) of Bakersfield and Amaris Ratajesak (Jerry) of Oceanside; grandson, Johnny Wheeler of Bakersfield; granddaughter, Jerrine Cochran of Torrance; great-grandson, Erick Bert of Torrance; sisters, Ruth Ehman of Indianapolis, IN and Marie Austin of Madison, IN. John was preceded in death by father, Charles Layton; mother, Genevieve; and brothers, Charles and Howard. He will be deeply missed, but never forgotten. A gathering of family and friends will be held at White & Day Manhattan Beach Chapel on Friday, January 22, 2010 from 2 - 6 p.m. His service will be given at Pacific Crest Cemetery Chapel on Saturday, January 23, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. A reception will follow in White & Day's Lighthouse Reception Room from 3 - 5 p.m. Please sign the guestbook at www.dailybreeze.com/obits. Please go to the mortuary's website, www.LAfuneral.com to send the family messages, share memories, or to obtain directions to the services. Check back to view the online video tribute.