Lawrence A. “Turtle” Panton, Jr. passed away peacefully at his home on March 1st, 2017 with his loving family by his side. Turtle was born September 1st, 1931, son of Lawrence A. Panton, Sr. and Gladys Blair. He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Joan Parks Panton; children Richard Panton, Julie (Lynn) Cushman, Susan (Brian) Purcell, Anne (Bill) Vincent, and Bruce (Amy) Barr; grandchildren Buster (Chastity) Panton, Michael (Annie) Cushman, Betsy (Joe) Curtin, Angie Yokubonus, Josh Panton, Daniel (Jamie) Yokubonus, Chelsea (Eric) Rheaume, Jon-Taylor (Morgan) Vincent, and William Barr; eight great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; his brother, Robert (Helen) Panton; and several nieces and nephews. Turtle was predeceased by his parents, and sister, Kay Kimball Smith.
Turtle was a man of many talents; he played polo at Basin Harbor Club, flew his own airplane to Warrensburg, NY, raced snow machines for Arctic Cat for four years, rode his Tennessee Walker horse in numerous Memorial Day Parades, traveled extensively with his wife, Joan, in their RV camper with their Harley Davidson motorcycle in tow. Turtle was also proudly devoted to community service; he served as a 32nd Degree Mason, Scottish Rights, and a Northern Cairo Shriner Clown. He made many trips to the Boston Children’s Hospital Burn Unit and Montreal Children’s Hospital, and made many appearances in numerous parades with the Shriners.
Turtle worked for Simonds/Hercules/BF Goodrich for more than 30 years, as a Tool and Die maker. He was a dairy farmer in Ferrisburgh for ten years. In his “retired” years, he held many part time jobs throughout the community, keeping him very busy. For the last five years, Turtle attended Project Independence daily, where he made many friends and received excellent care.
Calling hours will be held Friday, March 3rd, 2017 from 5-8pm at the Brown-McClay Funeral Home in Vergennes; funeral service will be Saturday, March 4th, 2017 at 1pm, at the Congregational Church in Vergennes. Immediately following the funeral service, a reception will be held at the American Legion Post 14, Vergennes.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Elderly Services Project Independence, Middlebury, VT.
