John Overton Colton

John Overton Colton, age 85, passed away peacefully on January 5, 2026 surrounded by his family. He was born September 27, 1940 in Nashville, TN, the first and only child of John Overton Colton and Josephine Trice Colton.

John is survived by his devoted daughters, Candice Colton Bass (Jim) and Julie Colton Jones (Richard), both of Nashville, his five grandchildren, Josephine and Orin Bass, and Saidee, Ella and Clayton Jones, and his cousins J. Overton Colton, Elizabeth Colton Walls, Elizabeth Colton, Marie Colton Woodard, Sarah Colton, Walter Colton, and John P. Williams. John was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 61 years Julia Champion Colton, his father John Overton Colton, his mother Josephine Trice Colton Williams, his step-father Hensley Williams, and his two half-brothers Hensley Clay Williams and Maxwell Trice Williams.

John’s father was killed in World War II during a bombing mission over Germany in 1944. In 1947, his mother married Hensley Williams, a career marine, whose military career took John all over the world. He attended nine different schools from first through twelfth grade spanning from the East Coast of the United States to the Hawaiian Islands, but Nashville and Franklin always remained his home. John graduated from Battle Ground Academy in 1958 and Vanderbilt University in 1962. He was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity and the Army ROTC Pershing Rifles and the Scabbard and Blade Honor Society.

John then entered the United States Army in October of 1962 and served in a STRAC Unit. He began dating his future wife, Julia Champion, in 1961 while he was at Vanderbilt and she at Peabody. They were married in August 1963, and John completed his active duty service in January 1965.

Following his discharge, John accepted a position with General Foods Corporation. He and Julia spent the next four years in North Carolina, Virginia, and Florida. In September 1968, they joyfully returned to Nashville when John joined the newly founded Hospital Corporation of America. Over the course of his career with HCA, he held several leadership roles including Senior Vice-President and Central Group President. John not only loved his work in healthcare, but also deeply valued the lifelong friendships he formed.

Like Julia, John was an ardent lover of animals and devoted significant time and effort in helping the Nashville Humane Association establish an endowment to ensure it's long-term success. In recognition of their service, John and Julia were named honorary members of the NHA board in 2011.

John will be remembered especially for his kindness, gentlemanliness, and faith. No one wrote a thank you note or remembered to send a card quite like John.

The family extends their heartfelt thanks to John’s caregivers for their attentive and compassionate care, Rene Kirby, LaQuita Christian, Kimberly Vaughn, and Sheila Rigsby. For their many years of dedication and faithful care for both John and Julia, our profound and endless appreciation to the Richland Place Health Center community, most especially the third floor care team. Finally, with our deepest gratitude, the family thanks the many dear friends who surrounded John with loving care, comfort and companionship.

A graveside service with family and friends will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 16 at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Franklin, TN.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in John’s memory to the Nashville Humane Association, 213 Oceola Avenue, Nashville, TN 37209; Battle Ground Academy, PO Box 1889 Franklin, TN 37065; St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 510 W. Main Street, Franklin, TN 37064; Belle Meade Methodist Church, 121 Davidson Road., Nashville, TN 37205; or the charity of your choice.