John Newlin Wootten

     John Newlin Wootten, 89, of Magnolia, DE passed away peacefully on January 11, 2022 after arriving at Bayhealth Hospital in Dover a day prior.

     John was born on July 6, 1932 during the Great Depression in Lincoln, DE.  His parents Lester and Jenny moved their five sons and one daughter to Magnolia where they became family farmers.  John graduated from Caesar Rodney High School in 1950.  He went on to get an Associate's degree in Business, concentrating in Accounting from Goldey Beacom College, where he also was a stand out Baseball player.  

     John then enlisted in the Air Force to serve his country as part of the 1607th Air Transport Wing (MATS) during the Korean War where he received the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.  After the war he went back to the same land his parents farmed in Magnolia and built a home, where he lived his entire life.  

     John worked in Data Automation for the Dover Air Force Base, retiring 35 years ago after 35 years of combined Military & Civilian service. He was a Lifetime Member of the Magnolia Fire Company where he served as an Assistant Chief and Treasurer and also helped run Saturday night Bingo. John was also a past President of the Murderkill Lions Club. He enjoyed reading, gardening, jogging, crab feasts, the beach, hunting, fishing, golfing and spending time at the Officer's Club.  

     John was an avid Philadelphia sports fan and dog lover, with his favorites being "his Beagles and his Eagles".  John most cherished his holidays with his kids and grandkids, and even in his last days he was able to travel to Pennsylvania to celebrate this past Thanksgiving and to Newark to celebrate Christmas.  

     John is survived by two sons: Jeffrey Newlin Wootten and his husband Thomas L. Miglino of Newark, DE and Gary Reed Wootten and his wife Maisy J. Wootten of Glen Mills, PA; his former wife and close friend Maureen C. Wootten of Dover; three grandchildren:  Jack Reed Wootten (20), Ryan Jacob Wootten (17), and Molly Rae Wootten (12); along with several nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his four brothers Wallace, Louis, Doyle and Wayne and by his sister Betty Shalley.  Mr. Wootten loved his entire family.

     A funeral service will be 12:00 P.M. Monday, January 17, 2022 at the Pippin Funeral Home, 119 W. Camden Wyoming Avenue, Wyoming, DE  19934 where there will be a viewing from 10:30 A.M. until 12:00 P.M. on Monday.  Entombment will follow in Barratt's Chapel Cemetery, Frederica.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Magnolia Volunteer Fire Company or the SPCA of Dover or Camden. Online condolences may be made via www.pippinfuneralhome.com.

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