John W Overton

Houston attorney, Maj. John Walter Overton, Esq., age 92, died October 30th, 2018. A native of Bethpage, Tennessee, he had resided in Houston since September 1954. He graduated from Gallatin High School and attended Cumberland University after serving with the 7th Infantry Division on Okinawa, Japan during World War II as a combat infantryman where he was wounded and received a Combat Infantry Badge, a Purple Heart Medal and a Bronze Star, together with other such awards.  He was among the first American troops to enter the Republic of Korea at the end of WWII as occupation and liberation forces, participated in the lowering of the Japanese flag from the Korean capital at Seoul and socialized with Russian troops along the 38th parallel line before hostilities began. His studies of pre-law at Cumberland University were interrupted by the Korean War when Company “C” of the 168th Military Police Battalion of the Tennessee National Guard was called into active duty in September 1950.  Major Overton served for the second time in Korea during that conflict. After the Korean War, Maj. Overton graduated from the University of Houston, and obtained his Doctorate of Jurisprudence from South Texas College of Law in 1962 and was admitted to the Texas Bar. He practiced law as a sole practitioner in general private practice while he maintained his military service in the Army Reserves as a Military Police Officer until his retirement therefrom.  During his military service Major Overton attended the Judge Advocate General School at the University of Virginia and taught International Law to Army personnel and real estate law at Houston Community Collage and San Jacinto Collage.

Overton liked to fish, hunt and camp, especially with his grandsons.  He adored his parents and loved his children, grandchildren and siblings. He had love and respect for his stepchildren and step-grandchildren.

Major Overton is preceded in death by his parents, Rev. Lee Overton, and his mother, Nellie Thelma Collins Overton and by his sister, Elizabeth Moss. He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Patricia Viera Overton to whom he was devoted;  by his siblings,  Lela Jay, Virginia Law, Theta Campbell (Rev. Wert), James Overton, Rowena Griffy (T.J.), and Martha Bolton, all of Tennessee; and by his children, John W. Overton, (Darcy), Sara K. Salsbury, (Daniel) of Norcross, Georgia, Susan N. Mitchner (Samuel), Thomas W. Overton (Gloria), and Mia Lyn Fraser.  He is likewise survived by five step-children, Debrah Jenney, Albert Jenney (Charlene), Russel Jenney (Cheryl), Matthew Jenney (Michelle), Christopher Jenney (Alex): and twenty- five grand children, Dillon Overton, Dalton Overton, Gertrude Overton, Matthew Overton, Duncan Fraser, Joan Mitchiner, Meredith Mitchiner, Delaney Fraser, Austin Salsbury, Drew Fraser, Divoni Fraser, Decker Fraser, Dixon Fraser, Gabriel Jenney, Josh Jenney, Jeremy Jenney, Jessica Jenney, Hannah Jenney, Joel Jenney, Kasie Jenney, Sarah Wright, Emma Jenney, Johnny Patterson, Zach Jenney and Coby Jenney. He was a member of Metropolitan Baptist Church of Houston where he taught a Bible class for many years, a life-member of VFW, DAV, Purple Heart, and a member of The American Legion. He was also  a member of the Kiwanis Club of Cy-Fair, Houston , a member of CanCare of Houston, a volunteer cancer support organization, and a member of The Gideons International. He will be interred in Houston National Cemetery in Houston.

If desired, memorials may be made payable to: The Gideons International, and forwarded to Houston North Camp, P.O. Box 692182, Houston, TX 77269-2182

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