James Earl Britton

Croydon, NH - James Earl Britton, 57, passed away unexpectedly at home on July 16, 2019. Born July 14, 1962, in Laramie Wyoming, eldest child of Robert and Arlene Britton, loving husband of Jane Dearden.  They lived in their home in Croydon Flat for 28 years, sharing fun times traveling, playing with family and friends as often as possible. An accomplished musician, Jim loved playing, teaching, and listening to music, especially his favorite band, Rush. 

Growing up, he lived with his family as they moved frequently for his father’s work in the military and with MITRE Corporation, living in Guam, California, Chelmsford, Massachusetts, Wiesbaden, Germany, and Brussels, Belgium, schooling and traveling extensively throughout Europe with them in his youth. They came to eventually buy a home at Granliden in Sunapee, where he graduated from Sunapee High School.  He later earned degrees from both Plymouth State College and Western Governors University. 

He worked at WCNL and then KIXX Radio in Newport as the business manager, but also on-air spinning records and producing commercial ads, DJ on the side and playing and recording in bands, and including one he started with his brother.  He worked for a NH liquor brokerage company many years, a job he also enjoyed for the perks. He taught art and music at Unity Elementary School, and was also Director of Workforce Development at River Valley Community College in Claremont, an educator in business management courses for Southern New Hampshire University, Treasurer for the Town of Croydon, and also a successful producer of music instruction videos sold online at Amazon, and Udemy.com. 

Jim was a huge sports fan, from little league to pro sports, but his greatest sports passion was for all New England teams, attending three NE Patriot Superbowl victories and in fact writing a book, ‘A Fan’s View of the Super Bowl’ (XXXIX), as a result of his experience.  Jim greatly enjoyed sharing sports stories with friends and also loved playing basketball every Sunday, and will be missed as the faithful coordinator of those games.

Jim was a man of many talents, with a quick wit and deep sense of humor, beloved by all that knew him. Memories of him, his stories, and his life will sustain those who survive him for the rest of their lives.

His dad, Bob, and youngest sister Kimberly Britton, her husband Tim Osburn, and niece Piper Osburn, predeceased him. Survivors include his wife, Jane Dearden of Croydon Flat; mother, Arlene Britton, of Newport and Mississippi;  sister Gwendolyn Britton and her husband Jack Girompini of Sunapee and niece Nicole Pelletier and husband Bobby Pelletier (children Jared and Sydney) and niece Alie Fazio; brother Randy Britton and his wife Melissa (niece Olivia and nephew Ben), of Grantham; step son, Kirt Perry and his fiancée Kathrine LaCroix of Croydon Flat; Niece and nephew Paige and Joel Osburn, as well as many loving aunts, uncles, and cousins. 

Funeral services will be private. 

The family asks that donations be made by purchasing a brick in memory of your loved ones to be placed in the walkway of the Croydon Historical Society, 879 NH Rte 10, Croydon, NH 03773.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James Earl Britton, please visit our floral store.