John Thomas Brayton

John Thomas Brayton of Houston, Texas passed away on Wednesday, November 15, 2023 at the age of 90. John was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as the first-born child of John Bernard Brayton and Margaret Brayton (Bekes). John graduated from Liberty High School near Youngstown, Ohio in 1953. He loved sports and played basketball and golf throughout high school. He won many trophies that graced his office for golf, and even one for ping pong. He was drafted into the army and went to Korea and was promoted to sergeant in 20 months. He went to Ohio State University on the GI bill majoring in International Economics and was the first in his family to graduate from college, graduating in 1959. He was offered a Fullbright Scholarship to study business in Japan, which he had to decline. Instead, he joined Goodyear, learned the ropes, and then moved to Goodyear International where he spent his entire career. He spent most of his career in sales but served as the director of export activities on the Goodyear Board of Directors and was the President of Goodyear, Philippines when he retired. John's career with Goodyear moved him to Calcutta, India, KL, Malaysia, Istanbul, Turkey, Athens, Greece, Beirut, Lebanon, Houston, Texas, Akron, Ohio, Bangkok, Thailand, and Manila, the Philippines. He visited countless other countries throughout his career spending a lot of time in Asia and the Middle East. He married Helen Francis Anderson 11 months after meeting her on a blind date, and they were happily married for nearly 64 years. She supported John throughout his career. His is preceded in death by his loving wife, Helen, his siblings, Thomas, Margaret Elliott, Carl, Neil and Kathleen Kurlander, and his son, Terence. John is survived by his children, Corey Brayton (Roxanne Blackburn), Kelly Brayton (Simon Smith) and step daughter Rochelle DeRoberts (James DeRoberts). He is also survived by two sisters-in-law, Carole Brayton and Carol Hubler; a brother-in-law, James Anderson; 6 grandchildren, Andrew DeRoberts (Claire), Abigail DeRoberts, Allison DeRoberts (Ryan Goldenstein), Brittany Davis (Ben), Morgan Blackburn, and Maxwell Brayton-Smith; four great-grandchildren, Lizzie and James Davis, and John and Rosemary DeRoberts; and six nieces and nephews, Duane Brayton (Chris), Holly Stewart (Jimmie), Charlie Elliott (Susan), Elizabeth Israel (Joel), John Brayton, Allison MacKinnon (Cyrus), and Douglas Brayton (Meghan).

John Thomas Brayton

July 12, 1933 - November 15, 2023