Obituary of John P. Britton

John Palmer Britton, 75, passed away peacefully on August 3, 2016 following a long and courageous battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth McLeod Britton; daughter, Elizabeth Griffith McLeod Britton, of Charleston; sister, Nancye “Cissie” Britton Dibble (Bob), of Prosperity; and nieces and nephews. He was the son of the late Macy Louise Commander Britton and the late John Bossard Britton, Jr. Born in Sumter on July 27, 1941, John attended local public schools and was a 1964 graduate of Clemson University. At Clemson, he was active in the Tiger Brotherhood, the Numeral Society (president), student government (Class Senator), Central Dance Association and ROTC. Upon graduation, he entered the United States Army as an infantry lieutenant. He graduated from the Army's jump school at Ft. Benning and the jungle warfare school in Panama. He served at Fort Lewis, Washington. After his stint in the Army, John attended law school at the University of South Carolina, graduating in 1969 with a juris doctorate degree, whereupon he began a long and distinguished legal career, first in Greenville (1969–1998). While in Greenville, John was active in his church, Christ Church Episcopal, and civic organizations, including the Greenville Cancer Society Board, the Board for Legal Aid, The Chamber of Commerce, and Leadership Greenville Board of Regents. In 1998, he moved his practice to Sumter as a sole practitioner and public defender where he became active in community affairs and in his church, the Church of the Holy Comforter. At Holy Comforter he organized an adult Bible study class, breakfast ministry and served on the Vestry. He participated in a local Jail Ministry and several community Bible studies. Ministering to others was a passion he pursued later in life. Other social and civic memberships in which he had been active included Cain’s Mill Club, The Assembly, The Cotillion, The Sumter Ball, Les Trente, The Caroliniana Ball, Sumter County Museum Board and the Sumter Rotary Club. Throughout his life, John loved the outdoors. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, sailor, downhill skier, and wildlife photographer. He had a special affinity for Edisto Island where he spent most of his summers in his youth at his grandparents' beach house and for his farm in Sumter County where he engaged in wildlife management. Those who knew John remember him best as a devoted husband and father, a gentleman with a generous heart, a great sense of humor, and a deep abiding Christian faith. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to the MUSC Foundation/Hollings Cancer Center - Sarcoma Research, 18 Bee Street, MSC450, Charleston, SC 29425; Congaree Land Trust, 2231 Devine St., Suite 100, Columbia, SC 29205; or Church of the Holy Comforter, 213 N. Main St., Sumter SC 29150. On-line condolences may be sent to www.sumterfunerals.com A celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the life of John Palmer Britton will be held on Sunday at 3 p.m. in the Church of the Holy Comforter, 213 N. Main St., Sumter, followed by a private internment. Family and friends are invited to a reception immediately following the service at the Brittons’ home. Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home & Crematory, 221 Broad Street, Sumter, is in charge of the arrangements (803) 775-9386.