John Wayne Carlton, 84, of Tavares Fl & Pigeon Forge TN, passed away Friday, the 27th of June, 2022 in Pigeon Forge TN. He was born in Ridgley TN on Jan 1, 1938, and his mother aptly named him John Wayne because of her admiration of the “Duke”. He moved to Florida at the tender age of 17 and promptly met a vibrate red-headed beauty he saw walk by and declared “She will be my Wife”. He was married to Mellaree Gibson Carlton on June 8, 1958, and from then on they built a solid life together and were blessed with a son & daughter, which was his dream. John speaking of Rick and Sandy said, “If I’d known how good they would have turned out, I would have had more”. John Wayne Carlton was an accomplished carpenter, construction superintendent, and has many buildings that can be credited with his exceptional knowledge of the industry, two of note being a tree house in Santa Fe, NM and Nashville, TN for his grandsons. John was a man of few words, but his words were chosen from a deep understanding of the Bible and his unwavering conviction to do the right thing. He was a talented artist that could illustrate any given event or memory that came to mind.
John Wayne Carlton was a Great Man, he left people who were touched by his kindness, his wisdom, and his love of Jesus. He was however a Great husband and father. John Wayne Carlton was blessed by God as a gifted evangelist and could preach the stories of the Bible better than anyone we knew. People were mesmerized by his telling of the stories of the Bible.
John & Mellaree’s story is truly a “God Blessed Love story for the Ages.” Mellaree prayed for a partner in life that she could always count on, in walks John Wayne and her prayers are answered. Sixty-five years later he has gone on to be with Jesus.
He is survived his loving wife of sixty-five years Mellaree, his son Rick Wayne Carlton (Andrea Carlton), his daughter Sandy Cargil (Ronnie Cargil), grandchildren Michael Cargil (Carissa Cargil), Nicole Gant (Jason Grant) , Christi Cargil, Sam Carlton Waitt,, Mary Cargil, Catherine Cargil, & John Wesley Carlton, brother Marvin Carlton (brother), and five great grandchildren.
Funeral arrangements will be held at 10:00 AM EST on June 4th at Glad Tidings East Campus, 8550 Clarcona-Ocoee Rd, Orlando Fl 32818.