John Lewton

1950 - 2025

John Lewton

February 16th, 1950 - February 20th, 2025

John Lewton died at his home on February 20th, 2025, at the age of 75, after a long illness. He was born in Chicago, Illinois, on February 16th, 1950. He graduated from Von Steuben High School in Chicago in 1967 and received his Bachelor of Arts degree at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Illinois, in 1971. He went on to receive a Masters degree at Bowling Green State University in 1973 and a Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology at the University of Toledo in 1988. Over his long and varied career, John taught at the University of Toledo for over twenty years. He also worked at the West Center as a counselor. He and his wife, Cathy, established Workplace Resources, an employee assistance program serving both the private and public sectors, with the primary focus on those experiencing trauma. This led him to volunteer as Coordinator of a regional Critical Incident Stress Management Team. He also worked as a special deputy, testing psychologist, hostage negotiator, and counselor in the Lucas and Ottawa County Sheriff's Departments. He worked for the Federal Government on the Disaster Medical Assistance Team, where he rose to the rank of Deputy Commander. Following 9/11, he went to New York City where he participated in the search and recovery and conducted stress debriefings for members of the NYPD.

He was certified by the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress and the American Psychotherapy Association. He was a member of the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress Psychotherapy Association, the American Academy of Police Psychology, the American Psychotherapy Association, the Northwest Ohio Regional Terrorism Task Force, and he was the author of over thirty professional publications.

John was a dedicated member of Monroe Street United Methodist Church in Toledo, where he served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for many years. He enjoyed spending time with his friends at Monroe Street Church and with cousins in Illinois. He looked forward to fishing, fish fries, and relaxing at the river with his friends and cousins. He was a gun afficionado and owned over one hundred handguns and long guns. In addition to being a collector, he was also an accomplished competitive shooter. He was funny, quick-witted, energetic, and a dedicated and true friend.

He was predeceased by his parents, James Harold Lewton and Alice Danahey Lewton; his infant brother, James Lewton, Jr.; and his wife, Catherine Obarski Lewton. He is survived by his cousins, Dennis and Steve Danahey, Susan Amrhein, Marynel Corton, Steve and Darin Carlen, Jane Keith, Debra Johann, Michael Carlen, Brian Carlen, Shelly Carlen, Joshua Bramblett, Laurie Canaday, Diana Bushey, and Michelle Burstein.

A memorial service will be held at Monroe Street United Methodist Church, 3613 Monroe Street, Toledo, Ohio 43606, on Saturday, April 26th, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., with visitation at 10:30 a.m.