J.D. LITTON, 86, of Waco, TX died at home on May 6,
2006, with burial at Exray Cemetery near Stephenville,
TX.
J.D. Litton was born to James Litton & Minnie Flournoy
Litton on Jan. 9, 1920 in Lacasa, Stephens County,
TX. After graduating from Ranger High School in 1937,
he attended Ranger Jr. College at Ranger, TX. He served
in the Army Air Corps during WWII flying in the 3rd Photo
Reconnaissance squadron. As a captain he flew the most
recorded missions over Japan and piloted the first plane
to ever land on Iwo Jima. J.D. was awarded several medals
including the Distinguished Flying Cross plus one Oak Leaf
Cluster and an Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters.
Returning from the war, he attended Texas A&M, graduating
with a bachelor’s degree in agronomy in 1948. He began his
career with Exporters & Traders Compress in Hillsboro and
Waxahachie, later moving to Waco in 1960. His career spanned
46 years and included various positions from plant manager
to company president. Maintaining this was the job path God
had prepared just for him; he worked until age 75.
In May of 1939 he met Vivian Fulbright, the love of his life,
at his skating rink in Ranger, TX. They married in Aug. of
1943 in Colorado Springs where he was stationed before going
overseas. A man known for life-long commitments, he remained
true to his love for Vivian for 62 years. Together they
parented and grandparented and great-grandparented a close,
loving family devoted to the Lord. Though he will be greatly
missed, his godly influence will live on in countless lives.
J.D. loved the Lord and was a deacon at the Crestview Church
of Christ, serving in various capacities. His ministries
included visitation, Meals on Wheels, worship committee head,
tape ministry and innumerable behind-the-scenes acts of
charitable support. The family wishes to express deep
gratitude to this loving church family for their constant
and compassionate support.
Although proud to be an Aggie, J.D. loved Abilene Christian
University, where he and Vivian have been members of the
President’s Circle and where he served on the National
Advisory Board.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Vivian Litton; sister,
Hazel Phipps (RHS-1930) of Odessa; son, Bill Litton and wife,
Deeanne of Waco; daughter, Cynthia Cooke and husband, Jim of
Abilene; son, David Litton and wife, Diane of Tyler; grand-
daughter, Lacy Underwood and husband, Kevin of Arlington;
grandson, Jim Litton and wife, Kelly of Dallas; granddaughter,
Jennifer Cooke of Sugar Land; granddaughter, Emily Cooke of
Abilene; grandson, Jonathan Cooke of Abilene; granddaughter,
Lana Page and husband, Doug of Huntsville; granddaughter,
Larissa Smith and husband, Kyle of Memphis, TN; granddaughter,
Briana Litton of Abilene; great-grandchildren: Matthew, Brynlee
and Kasen Underwood and Drew and Allie Page; numerous nieces,
nephews and cousins.
WIFE: VIVIAN FULBRIGHT LITTON, 93, of Waco went to be with
her Lord on March 13, 2014, with burial at Exray Cemetery,
north of Stephenville, TX.
Vivian was born May 16, 1920, in Erath County, TX, to William
G. and Vivian Bryant Fulbright, the youngest of six children.
After attending school in Gordon and Thurber, she graduated
from Strawn High School & then attended Ranger Junior College.
Her enrollment at Abilene Christian College culminated in her
graduation in 1941, and began a lifetime of loving support for
the school. She was proud of the fact that all of her children,
their spouses and her grandchildren graduated from ACU. Upon
graduation she taught at Mullin High School. After working as
a stay-at-home mother while her children were young, she returned
to school in her 40s to earn a Masters of Education degree from
Baylor University. She then returned to the classroom where she
taught fourth grade at Hillcrest Elementary until she retired.
In 1939, she met the love of her life, J.D. Litton, at his
skating rink in Ranger, TX. They married in August of 1943, in
Colorado Springs where he was stationed in the U.S. Army Air
Corps before going overseas.
After the war, J.D. graduated from Texas A&M. They lived in
Hillsboro and Waxahachie before moving to Waco in 1960. They
were married for 62 years until J.D.'s death in 2006. Vivian
loved the Lord and worshiped faithfully at Crestview Church
of Christ where she taught Bible classes for children for many
years & taught ladies' Bible class into her 80s. She participated
in various ministries, including the tape ministry, Meals on
Wheels, visitation and was known as a cheerful encourager to
all. She loved music, especially a cappella gospel music. She
also enjoyed playing the piano for gatherings of family and
friends. Her greatest joy was that her children and their
families all love the Lord.
The legacy of faith she shared with J.D. is carried on by son
Bill Litton and wife Deeanne of Waco; daughter Cynthia Cooke
and husband Jim of Abilene; son David Litton and wife Diane
of Tyler; granddaughter Lacy Underwood and husband Kevin of
Mansfield, TX; grandson Jim Litton and wife Kelly of Abilene;
granddaughters Jennifer McMillian & husband David of Atlanta,
GA, and Emily Wardell & husband Jacob of Belton, TX; grandson
Jonathan Cooke of Abilene; granddaughters Lana Page & husband
Doug of Kaufman, TX, Larissa Smith and husband Kyle of Arequipa,
Peru, and Briana Singleton and husband Justin of Athens, TX;
& great-grandchildren Matthew, Brynlee, Kasen & Ryan Underwood,
Anna Lee, J.D. and Kade Litton, Maddy McMillian, Ella Wardell,
Drew, Allie, Aaron and Alivia Page and Shaye, Cora and Aria
Smith. She will also be missed by numerous nieces and nephews
and many lifelong friends.