Dr John T Middleton

John Thomas Middleton, Ph.D., 92, died on May 13, 2018 at the VNA Respite House in Colchester, Vermont. Born in Olney, Texas on February 19, 1926, youngest of the four children of Ben and Ola (Davenport) Middleton, John lived at various residences in Texas before moving to the Chazy and Plattsburgh areas. John joined the United States Navy Reserve at 17. He served on active duty during WWII and was medically discharged at age 19. He attended several colleges and universities including colleges in Wichita Falls, Texas. John worked as a psychologist and psychiatric social worker for the Texas Department of Mental Health. He earned a Ph.D. from Florida State University and retired Professor Emeritus from SUNY Plattsburgh, where he taught marriage and family life courses and counseling. Dr. Middleton was elected for membership to several professional associations and worked in numerous volunteer groups. The last years, he worked primarily in pro-life causes and was co-founder with his wife Claire of Champlain Valley Right to Life and Birthright. He volunteered as a lay minister with the Catholic Church, a Critical Care EMT with the Chazy Volunteer Fire Department and as a driver for the Disabled American Veterans. At one time, John and Claire co-directed the Family Life Department of the Diocese of Ogdensburg. John received numerous awards and honors: the Papal Medal of Honor from Pope Francis in 2013 for continuous service on behalf of unborn children, the 50th anniversary award from Wadhams Hall Seminary for exemplary devotion to pro-life causes, and the Terence Cardinal Cooke given by New York State Right to Life. Dr. Middleton was featured in over 300 family life programs on Access Cable, participated in approximately 50 radio programs on Christian Radio, and enjoyed representing the conservative view in "Conflicting Opinions" in the Press Republican. For over 53 years, Dr. Middleton maintained a private practice in marriage counseling and psychotherapy. He was an active member of the Bishop Wadhams Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus Assembly 706. John was husband of Claire (Bastien) Middleton, the father of four daughters, Karen, Marsha, Valeda, and Holly, and three sons, Thomas, Frank, and John. He had 14 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, 5 great-great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind dear friends and family on both sides of the Canadian border. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Plattsburgh Pregnancy Center, 62 Brinkerhoff Street, Suite 103, Plattsburgh, NY 1290 http://www.plattsburghpregnancycenter.org Calling hours will be Wednesday, May 16, 2018 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Brown Funeral Home, 29 Broad St., Plattsburgh, NY. Additional calling hours will be on Thursday, May 17, 2018 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at the Brown Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, May 17, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Victory Church. Interment will follow at St. Joseph's Cemetery, West Chazy. Arrangements are entrusted to the Brown Funeral Home, 29 Broad St., Plattsburgh, NY 12901 (518) 561-3980. Online condolences and memorial candles may be made at www.brownfuneralhomeinc.com