John Bouton's Obituary
JOHN P.”Jack,” BOUTON, born December 12, 1921, son of Paul and Nalley Bouton in Charlottesville, VA, died January 26, 2009 in Southaven, MS. He was 87. Jack lived most of his life in Memphis as a commercial building sub-contractor. He was a WWII veteran, a B-17 pilot with the 390th Bomb Group, 1944-45, in England. He flew 35 combat missions over Germany and wrote a book about his war experiences titled, The Lucky Bastard. He grew up in Lakeland, FL, active in sports, and later attended Newport News Shipbuilding Apprentice School in Virginia. After the war Jack attended the University of Virginia Engineering School, and flew war-weary B-17s out west for the Air Force Ferry Command from Memphis, where he settled to raise a family. He was an avid golfer at Chickasaw Country Club, a member of the Optimist Club and Memphis Builders Exchange for many years. He was active with the 390th Bomb Group Veterans Association, attending annual reunions. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather, and a good friend to all who knew him, and he’ll be greatly missed and long remembered. In addition to his wife, Gene, of 20 years, he is survived by his children, John, of Dallas, Liz, of Columbia, TN, Barbara, of Collierville, his grandchildren, Paul and David Bouton, Elizabeth Simpson, John and Logan Lovell, great-granddaughter, Hadley Elizabeth Simpson, step-daughter Belinda Enochs of Southaven, step-grandchildren, Andrea May and Alex, step-great-grandchildren, Shelby and Robyn May, and nephew Jack Lowman, Jacksonville, Florida.Visitation will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, January 29th with service to follow at 11 a.m., both at St. George’s Episcopal Church, Germantown. Donations, in lieu of flowers, may be sent to 390th B. G. Museum Foundation or charity of choice. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery (901)767-8930 www.memorialparkonline.com
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