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On April 12, 1961 John A. Caton entered the world the way he would continue to live in it for 61 years 10 months and 27 days, loud and abrasive.
Leslie (Les) and Marjorie (Hendricks) Caton had their hands full with their bouncing baby boy, despite him suffering a lifelong illness affecting his lungs (some would argue his brain as well).
After years of fighting, running amuck, and lighting things on fire, unfortunately, John discovered alcohol. Being mouthy, fighting and several drunken games of hide and seek with his truck after waking up three states from home were to follow. Always quick to be a brash jerk, he was always quicker at fighting the good fight for the underdog in every situation.
In August of 1981 John wed Dixie Amsler. This union was to be short lived but did produce his daughter, Roslynd. The in laws that John respected and admired confronted him about his addiction, helping him to decide that rehab was a worthwhile venture. While in recovery he became good friends with Bill W and his next wife. John and Arlett wed in February of 1987 joining their families while building their own. By fall of that year their trio of terrorists daughters, Roslynd, RaEllen and Ryanna were building bonds and testing their sanity. John and Arlett built their marriage and parenting in the 12 steps, they admitted they had a problem and were powerless over it...mostly because they had made three mini mes.
Having made a home, acquired sobriety and maturing a bit John went in search of new spiritual growth. This search brought him to Freemasonry. John entered the Masonic lodge in April of 1992, raised to Master Mason in July and joined the Scottish Rite in October of the same year. Masonry brought lifelong connections for the entire family as well as the growth and focus he was searching for.
John was a skilled carpenter that hated woodworking. Much of his professional life was dedicated to the family businesses Caton Lumber and the Cabinet Shop before their closings. He then held various positions with Atwood’s, Integris Bass, and Placentia Linda Hospital (Placentia, CA). He spent some time working with firearms in Texas reigniting a passion for an old love.
With years of a family based in medical careers to help advocate for him, John still had health concerns that went under diagnosed. In the end, he had significant cancer detected 15 days prior to his death. In his final days he was surrounded by family, hospice, and close friends he had made in his 30 years 10 months and 24 days as a Mason. Making his exit March 11th at 11:33am the most quiet and peaceful he had ever been in his life.
John is proceeded in death by his parents Les and Marjorie Caton.
Surviving is his wife of 36 years Arlett Caton (Corona, Ca); children Roslynd Caton (Enid), RaEllen and John Witkowski (Corona Ca), and Ryanna Caton (Enid). Eleven grandchildren (Roslynd’s) Leeyah Caton; (RaEllen’s) Jessica, Aubriegh, Ayden, Trenity, Jared and Tarryn Witkowski, Trayven Unger and Trevor Wacker; (Ryanna’s) NaLani and Neiko Norwalt-Caton and Nya Caton-York. One great grandson, Isaac Witkowski. As well as his sister and brother-in-law, Jo Lynne and Danny Vendetti. Many other family and friends from a life spent being loud, telling brutally honest truths, and in general trying to get attention and irritate people.
A memorial will be held at the Enid Masonic Lodge 815 N Independence on May 20th at 3pm with a Graduation Reception for his granddaughter, Leeyah, to follow at 4pm. If you would like to make a donation in John’s honor please do so to your local Masonic Lodge or a charity that supports our Nation’s Veterans or mental health resources as these were close to his heart. If attending the memorial please be ready to share your best John story to include phrases such as “and there John was in the middle of it all”, “I don’t know how he didn’t go to jail for that”, or “Caton told me to do it and sure enough that backfired”. We intend to laugh until we cry, as he would have wanted!
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