Mr. John Stanley Upton Sr., age 86, of Wadley, passed away Thursday, August 3, 2023, at his residence following an extended illness.
Funeral service was Sunday, August 6, at 3 p.m. at Lamb’s Chapel Methodist Church with Reverend Chad Watkins and Reverend Bob Norwood officiating. Interment followed in Lamb’s Chapel Methodist Church Cemetery. The family received friends from 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday, August 6, at Lamb’s Chapel Methodist Church.
Pallbearers were Marlon Anderson, Taylor Blocker, Matthew Blocker, Johnny Kitchens, Keith Hall and Jeff Brunswick.
John was born May 6, 1937, in Wadley, to the late Thacher Upton and Roxie Lamar Upton. He graduated from Wadley High School. After graduation, John joined the National Guard and served several years, later joining the United States Navy serving 20 years. Soon after joining the Navy, he married his wife of sixty years, Ms. Vivian Connie Price Upton. Mr. John and Ms. Connie had four children: John Jr., Cindy Leigh, Janet, and Kimberly. Mr. Upton served two years in Vietnam. He, along with his wife and children, lived in five different states during his time in service. Mr. John was a machinist while serving with the Navy and also during his civilian years, a total of fifty years. He retired from active duty in 1979 while stationed in Norfolk, Virginia. After retirement, Mr. John was hired by Old Dominion University in Virginia working with graduate students in the Engineering department. Mr. John also received a two-year degree after his military service. He then moved his family back to his and Ms. Connie’s hometown of Wadley. Mr. John enjoyed woodworking and knife making. He loved his savior, Jesus Christ, his family, and church. Mr. Upton is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Vivian Connie Price Upton; brothers, Roy Upton, Joe Upton, Clark Upton, Jack Upton, and George Upton; sisters, Helen Tanajewski, Mary Smith, and Jean Baird.
Mr. Upton is survived by his son, Stan Upton of Wadley; daughters, Cindy Prigge (Marty) of Statesboro, Janet Wilson (Stephen) of Millen, and Kim Upton of Evans; grandchildren, Lauren Burrell, Jessica Selby (Preston), Megan Williams (Marshall), Taylor Blocker (Dominique), Matthew Blocker, Abbie Johnson (Blake), Kelsey Upton, Victoria Smith (Wes), Sophia Zumbro, Stephen Wilson, Jr. (Brittney), Allison Wilson, and Caitlyn Wilson; 16 great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews and many friends.
Chapman Funeral Home of Swainsboro was in charge of arrangements.
