John W Britton

John W. Britton, Sr. Former Charleston Fire Department Chief John W. Britton, Sr., 93, of Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina died Friday, June 6, 2014, joining his beloved wife, Aileen in Heaven. He died peacefully at home, holding hands with his daughter, Judith and his son-in-law, JR, as they prayed for him. Known affectionately as “Doc” to his fellow firemen, John served the Charleston Fire Department for nearly 41 years, starting as a fireman and rising to the post of Fire Chief, a command he held for 13 years. Of the many accomplishments during his career, John was most proud of the Fire Prevention Bureau, a forward-thinking organization in the Department which he created and led for 20 years prior to being appointed Chief. John also served as an instructor at the State Fire School in Morgantown and had numerous articles on fire prevention published in national fire service publications. John was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church. John is survived by his sons John W., Jr. and his wife Jennifer of Charleston; Gerald Douglas and his wife Laurie, of Norristown, PA; daughter Judith Diane Abbott and her husband, Raymond (J.R.), of Mt. Pleasant, S.C.; and grandchildren Douglas Gary Britton, Judith Elizabeth Gittons, and Melissa Diane Britton. The funeral service will be held at 12:30 p.m., Thursday, June 12, at Bartlett-Burdette-Cox Funeral Home of Charleston. Burial will be in Spring Hill Cemetery in Charleston. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in John’s name to Transitions Hospice Care, 9229 University Blvd., Suite F2C, North Charleston, South Carolina 29406. Transitions cared for him at his home with Judith and JR with dignity, compassion, and belief in God.