JAMES THOMAS LAYTON

This obituary submitted by the family. Mr. James Thomas Layton of Gordon, AL passed away on March 23, 2021 at the age of 77. A graveside service will be held at 3:00 PM Friday, March 26, 2021 at Pilgrims Rest Church in Gordon, AL on Pilgrims Rest Road off of County Road 4. Officiating service will be Ruben Grimes. Mr. Tom Layton "Papa" was born in Blakely, GA on September 15, 1943 to Dent and Essie Mae Layton. He was raised up on their family farm in Gordon, AL with his 6 brothers and sisters. He grew up at a young age along with his siblings working hard on the farm and enjoying playing hard and sharing many adventures with his siblings and friends; notably dads lifelong best friend Virgil Jordan at their homes, farms and where they all attended at Harmon School. Tom Layton dropped out of school in the 10th grade when his dad fell ill to take over the family farm. Dad later returned to school the following year for a short time. He then dropped out of school for good to help his parents knowing they couldn't make it on the farm without his help, due to his dad's poor health. They never asked him to, he just knew they needed him! It takes a selfless man to be a great man...just one of many examples of my dad selfless life he led...this while he was just a young teenager himself. He later joined the Army, then the National Guard; he dearly loved his time in the military. Once again while Tom Layton was still in the military his parents reached out to the Army asking for dad to get out on a early release due to his father's poor health. My dad, Tom Layton, willingly gave up his beloved career in the military, here again showing his selfless devotion to his parents and family!! While in the army only a short time he received the attention of the Army Colonel and a early promotion by being the first soldier in his unit to be able to sight in and shoot down the mock airplanes. Tom Layton enjoyed all of his time in the service, all the many friends he made there. He fondly shared with us all his many memories of all his stories from his army days. My dad farmed for his dad for a couple years until his dad was well enough to farm full-time. My dad continued to help his dad as needed over the years. My dad, Tom Layton, soon met and married his wife, Janice Layton, while they were working in the cotton fields. They soon bought their own farm, built a home while my dad not only farmed full time he also worked at the local papermill and worked 2 years as a carpenter at the nuclear plant. They raised 2 children over the years while expanding their farm. After many decades my dad retired of farming. He later built a house for his brother on the old farm place. In more recent years my dad continued to work with Barton and Colby Willouby, his personal friend Bonaza Williams, and his friend Cory Harrison and the Harrison extended family doing construction and farming work. As well Tom Layton continued to do many side jobs as a all around handyman for his family, friends, and community. What my dad meant to his beloved family this paper cannot hold...but I'll touch on it here... My dad was a remarkable rare great man, a true gem. He was our family hero and our go to person for help and advice. My dad had a larger than life presence in all his family's life. My dad was known for showing compassion and kindness to all he met. He was always willing and wanted to help all of his family, friends, community and anyone he met that needed a helping hand. My dad touched, blessed and enriched other lifes by truly treating others the way he wanted to be treated. My dad added light into this world with his presence, he brightened the world with his laugh, he provided tenderness with his kind hands. Tom Layton made others feel good about themselves with his reassuring smile and made all of us feel loved with the compassion and forgiveness in his eyes. My dad always accepted us where we were in life and encouraged us to go further. He also believed in each and every one of us! Tom Layton was always kind to those around him, believed never to kick a man while he was down and chose rather to lift up others around him. Dad didn't believe in putting others down or talking bad of others. My dad, Tom Layton, lifted many spirits out at his favorite place, on his front porch sitting in his rocking chair; sharing his wisdom, acceptance, forgiveness, understanding and love. My dad was a very wise and smart man. His loving arms were always a soft place to land when needing encouragement! My dad seemed to have endless talents. He had proved himself to be a very hard working, trustworthy man from the time he was just still a young boy. Tom Layton was a loyal worker and friend, responsible, dependable and was known for his honesty and strong character. My dad was a good farmer, mechanic, construction worker, plumber and all around handy man. My dad was much more than a grandfather to all of his grands and great grandkids. My dad was a true second father to his grandkids and literally helped raise some of them. Tom Layton was his grandkids mentor, teacher, advisor, encourager and counselor; over many decisions they made and problems they resolved with his kind and wise words. My son Luke Lien and his Papa were the best of friends. My son Luke Lien never had a better friend than his Papa. Luke Lien and Papa both heavily relied and trusted in each other. Papa's favorite people on earth were all his treasured beloved grand/great grandkids...Dent, Alyssa, Ridge, Priscilla, Dylan, Kinley, Kaysen, Hudson and soon to be Carina Amira Rose. My dad, Tom Layton loved and cherished his wife, Janice Layton, for over 50 years of marriage. Tom Layton loved and was devoted to his two children Ginger Layton Howell and Gregory Layton and son in law Mike Howell and granddaughter in law Chelsea Lien. My dad was deeply loved and admired by his wife Janice Layton. Tom Layton was a great husband to her and they shared many wonderful years and laughs together. They were loyal to each other and were good friends who were there for each other. Janice Layton was very proud of the man Tom Layton was. She was so proud of how smart he was, how tirelessly hardworking he was, what a good provider he always was, but she was most proud that he was a devoted family man. My dad enjoyed hard work, farming, carpentry, mechanic work, fishing, shooting pool, hunting, and in his younger years playing a little yard golf. But, Tom Layton's favorite thing and place to be was on his front porch in his famous rocking chair surrounded by all his favorite people his grandkids and great grandkids, his two children, his son in law, and granddaughter in law and his wife sharing stories and so many laughs as we did so often over the years. Tom Layton inspired and guided us all to be better people. Because of Papa's influence on all our lifes we will strive to be even better people yet because of all the lessons he taught us and by the example he led his own life. Tom Layton was preceded in death by his parents Dent and Essie Mae Layton, his brothers, Joe Layton and Jimmy Layton and niece Kimberly Layton. Surviving relatives include his wife Janice Layton, daughter, Ginger Layton Howell, her husband Mike Howell; his son Greg Layton, his sister Margaret Kaldenburg, her husband Richard Kaldenburg, his brothers Gene Layton and Alfred Layton; his sister Ann Dukes, his grandson Dent Layton, granddaughter Alyssa Lien, grandson Luke Lien, his wife Chelsea Smith, his granddaughter, Priscilla Howell, grandson Ridge Layton, grandson Dylan Layton, great granddaughter Kinley Lien, grandson Kaysen Ritch, and Hudson Lien.