John N. Booth Sr.

Funeral Mass: 11 a.m. Friday at St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church, 1200 S. Davis Drive. Interment: Moore Memorial Gardens. Visitation: 10 a.m. Friday at the church.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Mission Arlington.

John was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1929. His friendly and outgoing manner led him to meet Joyce, whom he married in 1952. Before beginning his family with Joyce, he served his country in the armed forces, receiving an honorable discharge from the United States Air Force in December 1953. He later began his longtime professional career with IBM after earning an electronics degree from Delgado Technical College in New Orleans. Committed to having a happy, healthy and successful family, he and Joyce raised six children, moving many times to advance his career, achieving greater success than ever imagined. He was an active usher throughout his life, most recently at St. Maria Goretti Church. John was approaching 40 years with IBM when he retired. During retirement, John enjoyed daily visits to Hudson's Family Barber Shop, weekly bowling with Joyce in a local league and long-running volunteer work with AARP. John, ever the friendly voice or helping hand, will be missed by all who knew him.

Survivors: His beloved wife of 63 years, Joyce Gaudet Booth; children, Pamela, John Jr., Susan, David, Janet and Lynette; 13 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.