John Byrel Moten, the son of John William and Johnnie (Lester) Moten, was born July 13, 1933, in Stilwell, Oklahoma. He passed from this life on April 2, 2015, at the Sequoyah East Nursing Home in Roland, Oklahoma at the age of 81.

John enlisted in the U.S. Army at the age of 17 and served four years during the Korean War. In 1954, John entered Northeastern State University and graduated in 1958, with a Masters in Education. At that time he accepted the position of principal at Eugene Fields Grade School in Webb City, MO, where he served for two years. In 1961, he left Missouri and moved to Colorado and then on to Manteca, California in 1964 where he married Nancy Kelley. He taught sixth grade there until 1969 and then moved back to Stilwell.

He started work at Brand-Rex in Siloam Springs, making telephone cable for four years and finished his career at Baldor Electric in Westville, working for eleven years until his retirement in 1984.

John was a member of American Legion Post 802 and the VFW Post 10829 in Stilwell.

John is preceded in death by his parents, John and Johnnie Moten, one brother, Buck Moten, five half brothers, four sisters and two half sisters.

He leaves behind to cherish his memory, his wife of 50 years, Nancy Moten, of the home; daughters, Landra Sue and husband Cleve Alberty, of Westville, Sandra Lou and husband Danny Edgmon, of Westville, Janine R. Springer, of Omaha, AR, Connie J. and husband, Mitch Solin, of Haltom City, TX; three granddaughters, Mary Heather Huffman, Emily Brooke Alberty and Holli Isabelle Solin; grandsons, Jarrett Moten & wife Tara and Corbin Edgmon and great-granddaughter, Gracen Moten.

Graveside services were held 10 am Tuesday, April 7, 2015 at Seabolt Cemetery with Floyd Kester officiating. Final arrangements were entrusted to the care of Hart Funeral Home of Stilwell.