John Elroy Broughton

John Elroy was born December 13,1955 in Hardisty, Alberta, to Joy and Elroy Broughton. The family moved to Wetaskiwin from the farm when he was 12. While a teenager, he met his future wife  Norma, and they began their lifetime calling to music ministry. They first blended their talents to play for the family group Joyful Sound and later, the gospel group New Dawn. John and Norma married on December 27, 1977. Although John trained and worked as a machinist, his true passion was for music and the church. Not long after they were married, he became employed  full-time as the music director for Calgary Christian Centre. Their two sons were born in Calgary during this time: Dillon John in 1981 and Brady Jess in 1984.  

In 1987, the family took a one-year  sabbatical and moved into a 35-foot fifth wheel trailer. One year in the trailer turned into 11. This was a pivotal time that would define the rest of their music ministry. They began travelling with a  musical team around Western Canada and the United States, while also working for Living Stones Church in Red Deer, then alongside Lighthouse Church in Stony Plain and finally Fire Place also in Stony Plain. John was never afraid to take risks for the Kingdom of God, including a ministry trek with three RVs and families all the way to New York State. With their sons and some good friends, John and Norma led worship for decades at churches, camps, conferences, and childrens’ outreaches, with John providing steady and creative leadership. 

John was a gifted singer and musician and an exceptionally talented sound man.  He was always writing songs or poems with his black Sharpie. He also could fix or build nearly anything and when he was 50 years old, he constructed an RV from scratch. It was affectionately known as the ARK. John was steady and sure about his mission in the Kingdom of God. He was also kind; a man of few words but when he spoke, people listened. John had a way of making everyone feel special and noticed. In recent years he fought hard to overcome many health challenges and in November 2022 he received the gift of a new kidney. His hope was to enjoy that kidney a little longer. He will be greatly missed by so many.

John is survived by his wife, Norma (Erickson); sons, Dillon (Marissa), Brady; grandchildren, Haddie and Oliver; brother, Dale (Audrey) Broughton; sister, Ila (Keith) Balkwill; father and mother in-law, Gordon and Gladys Erickson; brother-in-law, Gerry (Leanne) Erickson; sister-in-law, Norene Erickson; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

John was predeceased by his father, Elroy and mother, Joy; and brother-in-law, David Harris.

A celebration in honour of his life will be held Friday, May 26 at 1:30 PM at the
Wetaskiwin Full Gospel Fellowship 3916-64 St. Wetaskiwin, AB T9A 3S8. 

The service will be available to view online at the following links: https://www.facebook.com/w.fullgospel or https://youtube.com/@fullgospelonline194

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