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Funeral services for John Franklin "Johnny" Auten, Jr., 65, who died peacefully on Monday, February 16, 2015, will be held at 3 o'clock Thursday, February 19, 2015 at First Presbyterian Church. The Rev. Dan Sansbury will officiate with burial to follow in Magnolia Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4 until 6 pm on Wednesday, February 18, 2015 in the Memorial Fellowship Hall of First Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Hartsville Fire Department in memory of Lt. John F. "Johnny" Auten, Jr., 111 South Seventh Street, Hartsville, SC 29550. Brown-Pennington-Atkins Funeral Home is serving the family. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. ~John 15:13 Born in Hartsville, SC, he was the son of the late John and Eleanor Rhodes Auten, Sr. John was a Sr. Technical Associate at Sonoco Products Company where he worked for over 40 years. He traveled around the world for Sonoco and made many friends in the process. While working a full time job, he also served as a volunteer fireman for 33 years where he became Lieutenant. He loved to tell everyone, “The fire department is like a fraternity. We are all brothers and it is the best brotherhood a guy can have.” For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. ~John 3:16 How do you describe Johnny Auten? No one person can describe him. He was a husband, father, Pa, brother, friend, and co-worker. Full of life every time you saw him and his laugh was heard for miles. Perfectionist, pusher, and protector, fun loving, and a fighter would be just a few words to describe him. Friends from all over the world saw the many wonderful qualities that made him who he was. He was a hard worker at Sonoco and a mentor at the fire department. He was truly a great man, but most of all he was the best husband, father, Pa, and brother we could have ever asked for. We would like to thank you all for the love and support that has been shown to our family. He is now smiling and watching over us from the beautiful kingdom above telling us to stay #AutenStrong as he was in his life! Surviving are his wife, Sandy Auten; three daughters, Yvonne (Russ) Cranford, LaDonna (Jason) Rhoad, and Barbie (Tripp) Lyles all of Hartsville, SC; nine grandchildren, Marli Cranford, Mac Cranford, Harleigh Lyles, Jack Rhoad, Clare Rhoad, Patrick Rhoad, Isabella Lyles, Triston Cranford, and Thomas Rhoad; one sister, Herschell (Dwayne) Windham of St. George, SC; mother-in-law, Yvonne Barber of Castle Hayne, NC; brothers and sisters-in-law and many nieces and nephews.

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Lt. John Franklin Auten Jr.

September 22, 1949 - February 16, 2015