John Barnett (JB) Lown

John Barnett (JB) Lown of Groesbeck passed away Saturday, February 20, 2016 at Groesbeck LTC. Visitation will be held Sunday, February 21, 2016 from 6-8PM in the Groesbeck Funeral Home. Funeral services will be conducted Monday, February 22, 2016 at 2 PM in the First United Methodist Church with Pastor Steve Nance officiating and Sheriff Dennis Wilson speaking. Burial will follow at Thornton City Cemetery. Pallbearers are Jon 'Tray' Lamar, Joe McNutt, Clint Wilson, Roy DeFriend, Brian Ellison, Bubba Stone, Willie Neal and Luis Chapa. Honorary Pallbearers are Sue’s brothers, Adam “Skinner” Lenamond, Jimmy Lenamond, Ronnie Lenamond, Buddy Lenamond, brother-in-law Chesley Masters, J.B.’s nephew Mark McLelland, Lions Club Members, Thornton and Groesbeck Masonic Lodge Members and all of the students and other people whose lives he touched and those that touched his. J.B. attended Pleasant Grove and Thornton schools. He graduated from Thornton High School in 1946. He signed up for the Navy and went to serve his country. While in the Navy, he was aboard the first aircraft carrier to serve the USA, the USS Valley Forge. His jobs there included damage control and firefighter. He received medals for good conduct, WWII victory and American theatre. In April of 1950, he came back to attend Sam Houston State University in Huntsville. He graduated from Sam with his Masters of Education and came home for good. He first taught in Kosse, as a coach and teacher for the Greyhounds. His biggest achievement there was taking his 6 man football team to the state championship game (even though they lost). When Kosse moved to Thornton, he became a teacher at his old school. He was most proud of the fact that he had his first real Ag shop. Soon though, things changed again and Thornton Tigers moved to Groesbeck and he became a proud Goat until he retired after over 40 years of teaching and mentoring. He also drove Bus 13 for many years as well. He met Sue Lenamond during his time teaching and they were married December 26th, 1969. They resided in Thornton. He even served as Mayor of Thornton for a time. They eventually built a house in the country where the Lown family had been for over 200 years. Little did she know the life of an ag teacher would include long days and cold wet nights of pulling calves on the farm and trips to take kids to shows in places like Houston, San Antonio, Fort Worth and even Oklahoma in the snow. When he wasn't helping kids with show animals or helping the rodeo club host shows, he loved to hunt and enjoy being around friends. He served his community in many ways from county commissioner to church involvement. He recently was awarded his 50 year member awards in both the Masonic Lodge and Lions Club. He was a member of the Young Farmers, FFA, Go Texans of Limestone County, and a Lifetime Houston Livestock Show Committeeman. He was involved with the Farm Bureau even serving as President of the local chapter. He is preceded in death by his parents, Grover Cleveland Lown and Irene (Sparks) Lown. He is survived by his wife, Sue Lown of Groesbeck; daughters, Debbe Hall and husband Joel of Groesbeck, Lea Farmer of Teague, Lori Rather and husband Shonn of Thornton; sister Mary Alice McLelland of Houston; grandchildren, Micah Hall and wife Courtney of LaFayette, LA, Caleb Hall and wife Destiny of Grandbury, Nathan Hall of Groesbeck, Isaac Hall of Groesbeck, Hannah Hall of Groesbeck, Sarah Hall of Groesbeck, Dusty Newsom and wife Jennifer of Teague, Jessica Hall and husband Tim of Teague, Haley Van Winkle and husband Doyle of Teague, Kendell King of Thornton, Reagan Rather of Thornton, and numerous great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews. In lieu of flowers, the family request you consider donations to any of organizations J.B. was a member.