John Stephen Charton
January 7, 1947 ~ February 9, 2020
John Stephen Charton, 73, of Jefferson City, Mo., died Sunday, February 9, 2020, at SSM St. Mary’s Hospital in Jefferson City.
Steve was born January 7, 1947, in Rogers, Ark., to James D. and Jimmie Dean Charton. He graduated from Little Rock Central High School and attended Ouachita Baptist University and the University of Central Arkansas.
He was a Vietnam-era veteran of the U.S. Navy.
Steve was a member and sang in the choir of First United Methodist Church of Jefferson City.
Steve was a Certified Association Executive. He served for several decades as executive director and lobbyist for multiple trade and professional associations in Arkansas and Louisiana. He also served as a delegate to the White House Conference on Small Business. Steve also served on the staff of Arkansas Secretary of State W.J. “Bill” McCuen and on the early campaigns of future U.S. Senator Mark Pryor of Arkansas.
Steve is survived by his mother, Jimmie Dean Charton of Columbia, MO; daughters Heidi Charton of Little Rock, Ark., and Brooke Wilkes of Katy, Texas, and son Mark Scott Charton of Little Rock; and grandsons Dylan Morton of Brenham, Texas, and Preston Wilkes and Jackson Wilkes, both of Katy; brothers J.J. Charton of Mandeville, La., and Scott Charton of Columbia, and sister Donna Charton Smith of Jefferson City.
The family offers sincere thanks to the ICU team at SSM St. Mary’s Hospital, especially Laura Cramer, Aaron Jackson and Brandi Booki, and to the staff of Villa Marie - Stonebridge Senior Living in Jefferson City, for their devoted care.
A Celebration of Life for Steve Charton will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13, at the Activity Room of Villa Marie Senior Living at 1030 Edmonds Street, Jefferson City, MO 65109.
A family memorial service will be held at a later date in Arkansas
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 201 Monroe St., Jefferson City, MO, or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Those wishing to send condolences to the family may do so at the www.dulletrimble.com website.
Steve was born January 7, 1947, in Rogers, Ark., to James D. and Jimmie Dean Charton. He graduated from Little Rock Central High School and attended Ouachita Baptist University and the University of Central Arkansas.
He was a Vietnam-era veteran of the U.S. Navy.
Steve was a member and sang in the choir of First United Methodist Church of Jefferson City.
Steve was a Certified Association Executive. He served for several decades as executive director and lobbyist for multiple trade and professional associations in Arkansas and Louisiana. He also served as a delegate to the White House Conference on Small Business. Steve also served on the staff of Arkansas Secretary of State W.J. “Bill” McCuen and on the early campaigns of future U.S. Senator Mark Pryor of Arkansas.
Steve is survived by his mother, Jimmie Dean Charton of Columbia, MO; daughters Heidi Charton of Little Rock, Ark., and Brooke Wilkes of Katy, Texas, and son Mark Scott Charton of Little Rock; and grandsons Dylan Morton of Brenham, Texas, and Preston Wilkes and Jackson Wilkes, both of Katy; brothers J.J. Charton of Mandeville, La., and Scott Charton of Columbia, and sister Donna Charton Smith of Jefferson City.
The family offers sincere thanks to the ICU team at SSM St. Mary’s Hospital, especially Laura Cramer, Aaron Jackson and Brandi Booki, and to the staff of Villa Marie - Stonebridge Senior Living in Jefferson City, for their devoted care.
A Celebration of Life for Steve Charton will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13, at the Activity Room of Villa Marie Senior Living at 1030 Edmonds Street, Jefferson City, MO 65109.
A family memorial service will be held at a later date in Arkansas
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 201 Monroe St., Jefferson City, MO, or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Those wishing to send condolences to the family may do so at the www.dulletrimble.com website.
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Scott Charton Facebook Tribute: GOODBYE BROTHER My older brother Steve Charton is one of the best and bravest men I ever knew. A hard-working and highly successful certified association executive and governmental affairs lobbyist in Arkansas and Louisiana, Steve inspired and nurtured my youthful interest in government and journalism (among his past jobs was executive director of the Louisiana Press Association). Steve’s life was dramatically changed by a disabling brain aneurysm and stroke in 1994 as he worked at future U.S. Senator Mark Pryor’s Little Rock AG campaign headquarters. Myriad health issues dogged Steve over the ensuing quarter-century. But Steve fought his disabilities and deficits through choir singing, poetry and abundant love, a generous spirit in volunteering and an abiding faith in God. He never once complained. Several years ago, we were blessed to have Steve move closer to his Missouri family for care and support. He loved his years in Columbia and Jefferson City, though Steve’s SEC loyalty was forever with his Arkansas Razorbacks. Steve was not feeling well on Saturday and he was admitted to SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital – Jefferson City. The amazing, caring ER and ICU teams did all they could, and Steve’s tired body fought valiantly. But John Stephen Charton passed away peacefully at 6:15 Sunday morning, age 73 years and 34 days. He was surrounded by family, prayers and love, and his children got to tell him goodbye. As Steve slipped away, there was sudden rolling thunder and lightning illuminated the early dawn through the big ICU window. We laughed that God was telling him it’s OK, dear son, your fight is done, and well done, come into everlasting peace. My sister Donna and I visited our mom, 95-year-old Honey Charton, on Sunday afternoon to tell her about Steve’s passing. Our mom is sad but so strong and full of grace, comforting her surviving children with the words: “Steve is at peace with the Lord.” Amen. Steve was a proud Vietnam-era Navy veteran and a member of First United Methodist Church of Jefferson City. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to First United Methodist Church, 201 Monroe St., Jefferson City, MO, 65101, or a charity of the donor’s choice. A family memorial service in Arkansas is pending, arrangements by Dulle Trimble Funeral Home of Jefferson City. Some have kindly asked for an address to send condolences to our mom, Jimmie Dean “Honey” Charton. It’s care of Solstice Senior Living, 109 North Keene St., Columbia, MO, 65201. Thank you all for the outpouring of prayers and support. God bless you and Godspeed, Brother.
Blessings to you all my friend.
God bless you Scott and your entire family. You spoke fondly of your brother often. It is a testament to your relationship with him. Certainly you will miss him. Larry Schuster
Scott, so sorry for the loss of your brother. Linda Sommers
Condolences to the family. We were childhood friends and lived down the street on Belmont Drive from each other. I particularly remember one time in his adulthood when he chose integrity over job. Integrity and bravery are wonderful traits. He will be missed. Robert Phares
My sincere sympathy to all the Chartons. We lived across the street on Belmont and I have many wonderful memories growing up with Jay, Steve, Scott and Donna. Please give Jimmie Dean a huge hug from me. Debbie Gray May
Back in the early 1960’s, Steve came to our church occasionally with his friends from Central High School, Thomas Gill and Bob Scott. It was Pulaski Heights Baptist Church, in Little Rock. He was such a nice young man and he and I went out on double dates a few times. However, one evening, Steve and his parents took me with them to the Vapors Club in Hot Springs, Arkansas! It was very dressy, and we had a fabulous steak dinner. The entertainment that night was The Kim Sisters, a famous trio of Korean sisters, who performed in Vegas and on the Ed Sullivan Show frequently during that era. I can still feel the excitement of that special evening, even after 56 years, and remember exactly what I wore! I lost touch with Steve, but am proud to hear about his successful life. Scott’s tribute was beautiful and I send my sincere condolences to all of you and to Mrs. Charton, who I once shared a very wonderful night with! Becky Temple Cornett
I was sad to hear about the death of Steve. We were classmates at Central High School in Little Rock. I remember the times in our art class under the direction of Mr. Robert McDonald. At the end of the year, Mr McDonald said that whoever wanted the old antique art desk, at the front of the room, could have it. This desk was an original piece of furniture to Central High. Steve was determined he was going to take it and so was I. Well, after a severe discussion, Steve reluctantly gave in. Thank you forever Steve. I used the desk for many years. I liked you, Steve, a lot!!! Linda Dowden Johnson