John C. Potts, Jr.

RED LION - John C. Potts, Jr., 79, of Windsor Twp., died at 10:25 p.m. Thursday, August 12, 2010 at his home with his loving family by his side. He was the husband of Mary F. (Noll) Potts with whom he celebrated a 40th wedding anniversary on July 17th. Following cremation, a service to celebrate Mr. Potts' life will be 10 a.m. Monday, August 16, 2010 at Life Tributes by Olewiler & Heffner Funeral Chapel & Crematory, 35 Gotham Place, Red Lion with the Rev. Anthony Jarrett, chaplain with Southern Care Hospice, officiating. Burial with military rites by the York County Veteran's Honor Guard will be at Susquehanna Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be from 9 to 10 a.m. Monday at the funeral home. Mr. Potts was born December 21, 1930, in York. He was the son of the late John Clifford Potts, Sr. and the late Elizabeth (Nease) Buser and was the stepson of the late Dale L. Buser. He was a US Army veteran serving with the Army Air Corps during World War II and later served in the Naval Reserves until 1953. He began his civilian career as a Policeman with the York City Police Department before accepting a position with Caterpillar Tractor as a machine operator where he continued working for 32 years until the time of his retirement. An extremely important part of his life was serving along with his wife as a foster parent through the Children's Home of York. For more than 35 years he and his wife opened their home to well over 125 children. He also enjoyed 22 years of vacationing with his family at their home in Rehoboth Beach; camping trips; bowling; playing cards; and multiple cruise vacations including his most recent get-away in November. He also attended Grace Lutheran Church in Red Lion. In addition to his devoted wife, he leaves three sons, Jeffrey C. Potts and his wife, Rebecca of York, David L. Ducharme and his wife, Vickie also of York, and Brian E. Potts and his wife, Angela of Pocomoke, MD; two daughters, Kathy Miller and her husband, Wayne of Middleburg, FL, and Diana L. Bailey and her husband, Roger of Dallastown. He also leaves eleven grandchildren; five great grandchildren; a sister, Judy Baer of York; and his faithful companion, his Yorkshire Terrier, Myrtle. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Cynthia A. Potts; two brothers, Robert Potts and Dale "Chip" Buser; and a sister, Marsha Kroft. Memorial contributions may be made to Children's Home of York, 77 Shoe House Rd., York, PA 17406 or to Grace Lutheran Church, 220 N. Charles St., Red Lion, PA 17356.