Graveside service: 1 p.m. April 26, Hopewell Cemetery, Tunas.
James Donald Linton, 79, of St. Johns, Fla., was born Sept. 2, 1938, in Stella, the fourth of five children to Frank and Ruby Linton. He died Feb. 4, 2018.
Described by all as a “lovable little boy” with a winning smile, he is remembered as being fun-loving and full of mischief.
In 1948, at the age of 10, he was saved at the Freewill Baptist Church in Porterville, Calif. He was baptized by his father, a Baptist minister, and lived his life as a man of faith.
As a youngster, he filled his time doing odd jobs, but wanted to see more country and continue his education.
In August 1956, at age 17, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He completed basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas, and reported to Keesler Air Force Base, Biloxi, Miss. At Keesler, he completed schooling in radio and radar tech, finishing second in his class. He was promoted to airman third class.
On two separate occasions, he got the chance to meet and talk with country music legend Johnny Cash, during performances in Biloxi. During one of those visits, Cash sang “Missouri Waltz” just for him.
In July 1957, he completed his high school equivalency test. Having proudly served his country, he finished his enlistment in 1959.
He had many titles in his life, but none he was more proud of than “Dad.” The family moved several times. At one point, they lived on 80 acres just north of Tunas. In 1972, the family settled in California, where he worked at the Owens plant. He worked at the plant many years, advancing to engineer.
In 2010, he moved one final time to St. Johns, Fla., where he lived just miles from his daughters, grandchildren and their families.
A lover of the outdoors, his hobbies included gardening, fishing and in his younger days, riding motorcycles and waterskiing.
James was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Frank Linton Jr.; and sisters: Vera Cain and Peggy Clopp.
Survivors include his sister, Ruth Wilkerson, Urbana; daughters: Jayedee Molinaro and Jayme Trolle; grandsons: Justin Healey, Maximillian Trolle, Kurt Trolle and Nicholas Molinaro; great-grandsons: Liam Healey and Caladan Trolle, Jacksonville, Fla.; and sister-in-law, Joan Linton, Macks Creek.
