John Douglas Stratton

John Douglas Stratton

Our hearts are broken, but the heavenly host is rejoicing mightily that John Stratton has joined the party. Our dear brother, husband, father, grandfather, cousin, uncle, and extraordinarily special friend departed this earth Sunday, March 13th, 2016 while at home with his precious wife Carole, surrounded by a cloud of witnesses and love. No one who knew John will ever be the same, and for that, we are all profoundly grateful.

He has made everyone he touches a better person.

John was born a Jersey boy, to Norman and Virginia Carter Stratton, on May 24, 1954 in Woodbury-as fate would have it and God would orchestrate it- in the very hospital where his beloved Carole had been born. Their love story is the stuff of legend, and their blessed union of 42 years produced two fine sons: Wesley and Douglas, raised by the sea in Ocean City, NJ. Deep down, John is a Virginian, with roots firmly planted in Nelson County, home of the Waltons. John and Carole felt right at home in the Lowcountry of SC, where they found fellowship and an abundance of brothers and sisters, here in the Holy City, where the cool people BELIEVE.

John was a fine Olympic-caliber runner back in the day, captaining the Thundering Herd of Woodbury to a '72 state championship, then running (and famously streaking) at West Virginia University, continuing the race at Stockton University where he was All-American in the 400 meters. He graduated in 1978 with a B.A. in Business and stayed on to coach in a beautiful McFarland, USA kind of way. He then raced on to launch countless successful businesses, always endeavoring to mentor and lift up those around him. An ordained minister, he spread love on Wednesday mornings when brothers and sisters would meet at his office on Daniel Island for praise and worship, and on Thursday mornings among the mighty men of God who gather at Mark Andrews' law office in Mount Pleasant.

John is a true holy roller and "Jesus freak" in the very best sense of the Word, whose love and gratitude to our Savior is so compelling that it overflows upon us all-on the street, in the dining room, in the board room, on the dance floor. No liquor or spirits necessary-just pure joy bursting out all over.He is the real life George Bailey-our big brother John, the richest man in town-who wants us all to remember, It's a Wonderful Life, indeed.

John has moved on ahead of his loved ones-his lovely wife Carole Curl Pine Stratton, sons, Wesley and Douglas, Douglas' wife Palmer Carter Stratton and their amazing daughter (Papa John's first grandchild) Willow Marie; sister Bunny and her husband Chick Dougherty; uncle Winston Stratton; mother-in-law Mary Jane Pine; sisters-and brothers-in-law Jeff and Thalia Tunnie Julius, Susan and Tom Kiefer, Billy and Debbie Pine, and (literally) countless more, including the many young couples he married. He has now joined a holy host of others, and it's some kind of party. John, please save us some seats.

A memorial celebration will take place Wednesday, March 16, at 4:30 p.m. at the home of Mark and Charlie Andrews, 1466 Winton Road, Mount Pleasant, SC.

The Virginia service for John will be held at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, April 2nd, 2016 at Bethlehem United Methodist Church, 7539 Patrick Henry Highway, Roseland, Virginia, 22967. After the service, everyone is welcome to come celebrate John at Possum Trot on Stratton Hill, 325 Old Roseland Road in Roseland.

John was a big supporter of women in ministry. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Tracee Anne Loosle's Intrepid Heart Ministries, Joanne Ellison's Drawing Near to God, and/or Carol Granderson Ministries/Power and Light Gospel.

P.S. Dear John-You have fought the good fight. You have finished the race strong. You have kept the faith. YAY, John! We sure do love you. #teamjohnstratton