May the seas lie smooth before you.

May a gentle breeze forever fill your sails.

May sunshine warm your face,

And kindness warm your soul.

And, until we meet again,

May God bless you and keep you safe.

Captain John Bransby Burnand Whitton was born October 18, 1940 in Wilmington, Delaware as Francis and Dorothy Whitton's first born. John's lifelong passion for the water and sailing began as a teenager in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. In 1956, John met his true love, Kathryn MacDonald.

After graduating with a business degree from Western Michigan University in 1963, John proudly served his country in the Armed Services. John and Kathryn were married in 1966 and settled in Grand Haven, Michigan where they raised their two sons, Corbett (1968) and Bransby (1972). During his time in Western Michigan, John's sailing experience expanded beyond the Great Lakes to include offshore ocean racing on both coasts.

In 1985, the Whitton Family relocated to Camarillo, California in order to escape the cold winters and enjoy the close proximity to year-round sailing. The Southern California lifestyle suited John well for nearly 30 years.

In 2014, John and Kathryn retired to Hurricane, Utah where he fell in love with the red rock landscape. He called this home for 10 years while still finding time to get back on the water anytime an opportunity arose.

On the morning of his final resting day, John was on his daily walk with a neighbor. On this walk, they exchanged comments on the natural beauty of God's creation and the warmth of the sun on their backs. John passed peacefully into Jesus' Arms on April 9, 2024.

John began his career as an accountant for a large corporation. Through realizing early on that the limited social interaction of accounting was not his forte, he transitioned to being an independent manufactures' sales representative. John loved the freedom, travel, and connection with people that sales offered.

The latter half of his career was spent on several entrepreneurial endeavors, including taking over a dried flower business from his father when he moved to California. Along the way, John enjoyed real estate investing and at one time owned 18 rental units. As someone who marched to his own drum, John was most fulfilled when working for himself.

When work was not getting in the way, John's life revolved around spending time in the outdoors with sailboat racing being the primary focus. Some of the key highlights of his sailing resume included: 50+ Mackinac Races (Chicago and Port Huron), Ugotta Regatta (Harbor Springs), Transpac, Puerto Vallarta Race, Block Island Race Week, Southern Ocean Racing Circuit, the Big Boat Series (San Francisco), along with countless other regattas across Michigan and Southern California.

In addition to his life on the water, John loved the mountains. He was an avid downhill skier who tackled some of the toughest slopes in California, Colorado, and Utah. During the non-winter months, the Sierras offered John endless opportunities for hiking adventures, including summiting Mount Whitney as a tribute to a close friend.

John was predeceased by his parents and siblings Frank, Peter, and Wendy.

John is survived by his wife Kathryn of 58 years; sons: Corbett (Tonia) and Bransby (Jessica); grandchildren: Bradley, Clayton, Lindsey, Samantha, and Zachary; as well as his sister, Brook. Among John's proudest accomplishments in life were his two sons and five grandchildren. John loved his family more than life itself (and he sure loved life a lot!).

Please consider a donation to the Newport Sea Base in honor of John BB Whitton, https://www.newportseabase.org/support.