John Robert Middleton

John Robert Middleton, 80, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, June 15, 2013. He is reunited in heaven with his loving wife of 59 years, Barbara Middleton. His family and loved ones remember John as a loving and dependable father, grandfather and great-grandfather. His friends affectionately called him "Bobby" and all knew him as a man quick to conversation and who made friends with everyone he met. John was born on March 26, 1933 in Alabama to David and Rose Middleton. John was the youngest of four brothers, David, Fred, Ralph and Floyd. He grew up in Shreveport, La. where his father worked on a railroad, inspiring his lifelong love of trains. Barbara McCrae and John Middleton married on April 22, 1951 in Shreveport, La. He joined the U.S. Navy, but was discharged within the year due to medical problems. They later had two children, Walter and Sharon, and the family moved from Bossier City to Longview in 1964. John was a territory salesman for Lee Dry Goods at that time. He purchased the Army Navy Store of Longview in 1973. John and his son, Walter, operated the store and opened two other locations in Tyler and Longview. He retired and handed the businesses over to Walter in 2002. John most enjoyed growing flowers and maintaining an immaculate yard. He and Barbara traveled all across the United States in their motor home. They also enjoyed spending holidays and celebrating many occasions with their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They were both long-time members of Oakland Heights Baptist Church. In recent years, he still tended his flowers every day, enjoyed playing cards and made many friends in the Senior Circle at Longview Regional Medical Center. John is survived by his children, Walter Middleton and his wife Kim Middleton and Sharon Schwaderer and her husband Don Schwaderer; five grandchildren, Brandon Middleton and his wife Libby Middleton, Miranda Middleton, Ashley Schwaderer, Avery Schwaderer and Aaron Schwaderer and his wife Jessica Schwaderer; and two great-grandchildren, Audrey and Rachael Middleton. He is preceded in death by his wife, his brothers, parents and an infant child, John Robert Jr. Services to celebrate John's life will be 2 p.m. at the Rader Funeral Home Chapel on Wednesday, June 19, 2013. Entombment will follow a Rosewood Mausoleum. A visitation with the family will be held at the funeral home from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday.

John Robert Middleton

March 26, 1933 - June 15, 2013