John Britt
John Michael Britt of Chesterfield, MO passed away on December 5th, 2021 at the age of 72. John was born on May 15th, 1949 to the late Paul and Mary Britt, and he will forever be remembered as their favorite child. John is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Peggy; children Leslie (Grant) Stiff, Barbara (Bo) O’Neill, and John (Angie) Britt; grandchildren Ryan, Reese, and Emerson (Stiff), Christopher and Elizabeth (O’Neill), and Jack, Anisten, and Nolan(Britt); siblings Mary Lee (Paul) Gund and Paul (Sydney) Britt; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, brother-in-law, and friends.
John lived an extraordinary life and had the stories to prove it. John enjoyed a career that few have the privilege to experience. He was, as we affectionately often said, Kind of a Big Deal. He served as an agent with the United States Secret Service for 28 years, ending as the Special Agent in Charge for the St. Louis field office, protecting seven Presidents, Pope John Paul II, and numerous foreign dignitaries during his tenure. Upon retirement from the USSS, he went on to serve as the Director of Global Security for Anheuser-Busch and later Sea World, as well as the Director of Public Safety for the State of Missouri. Whether he was protecting George Bush or Anheuser-Busch, he did it with professionalism, integrity, and a whole lot of humor.
John rarely missed Sunday coffee with his grade school friends, a ride in his Corvette on a sunny day, a chance to share a story with his law enforcement and USSS buddies, drink a Bud with his AB colleagues, a lunch in Jeff City with his State of MO cohorts, an impromptu happy hour in the driveway with neighbors turned family, or an opportunity to spend quality time with his wife (Muffin), kids, and grandkids.
He will be deeply missed by those who were fortunate enough to know him. There will be no service at this time but a celebration of life will be forthcoming. A special thanks to our angel Mary Cain, a dear friend and hospice nurse.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to the following charities that were dear to his heart: The Backstoppers Inc. or the Missouri Association of State Troopers Emergency Relief Society (MASTERS).
Rest In Peace John. Prayers for your family. You will be greatly missed. Til Valhalla my friend.
John and I will certainly miss him.
All our love,
John and Kathy
Peggy and Family,
Barbara and I are so very sorry for the loss of John. He was an exceptional person and truly a joy to work with and be around.
Sincerely with love and respect, John Moore
I met the Britt family at St Joseph’s Parish in Clayton. John and I attended grade school together. What a beautiful family and how blessed to have a son like John. He will be missed by so many. RIP my friend. Love and prayers to the entire Britt family.
I met the Britt family at St Joseph’s Parish in Clayton. John and I attended grade school together. What a beautiful family and how blessed to have a son like John. He will be missed by so many. RIP my friend. Love and prayers to the entire Britt family.
I met the Britt family at St Joseph’s Parish in Clayton. John and I attended grade school together; and remained friends through adulthood. What a beautiful family and how blessed to have a son like John. He will be missed by so many. RIP my friend. Love and prayers to the entire Britt family.
Peggy and Family,
Dave and I are so very sorry to hear of the passing of John. He was a great boss and mentor during my Secret Service days in Detroit. I learned so much from him and I have so many Wonderful memories of those years. We are thinking of you during this difficult time and Hoping that memories of the good times bring you peace and comfort.
Love,
Becky and Dave Barnhart
We will always miss you, your laughter and insights and of course your Sunday morning photos!
Peace my friend!
Peggy and family,
We are so sorry to hear John passed. We extend our heartfelt sympathy to you and your family. We will lift all of you in prayer for strength and healing in the days to come.
A tip of the coffee mug from your friends at 6 North. We will miss your smiling face but will never forget you. Rest In Peace.
Dear Peggy and Family,
Ronni and I are very sorry to hear about John’s passing. In the early to mid 1990’s, John and I worked together as agents in the USSS Detroit Field Office. John was a good friend and colleague, and I will always remember his great sense of humor. May he Rest In Peace.
With our deepest sympathy,
Isaiah & Ronni Mapp
Dear Peggy, and Leslie, Barbara, and John,
I am truly saddened by the news of John’s passing. John was a unique achieving man in all of his life endeavors. All of us who worked with him know the ark of his significant career and remember him for those achievements and leadership in all the positions and contexts which he graced with boundless honor, enthusiasm, and humor. John and I worked together in the Secret Service, Detroit Field Office for 8 years. In those times we managed a brace of difficult challenges conducting major criminal investigations, completing a vast array of physical protection operations for Presidents, foreign leaders, and especially for the Papal Visit of Pope Saint John Paul II to Detroit in 1987. John was a major key to our success in all these missions. I truly regret we did not have the opportunity to get together enough over the years following our Detroit times. John will always be a “one of a kind” partner in my reflections of those whom I am fortunate to know and befriend.
All my thoughts and prayers for your grief for John’s passing,
Jim Huse
Barb and family, we are deeply saddened to hear of your loss. Matt thought the world of your dad, and by reading this, it is apparent that he was an amazing man. You were truly blessed. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Dear Britt Family,
I am so sorry to hear of Mr. Britt’s passing. I had the pleasure of being welcomed into your home many a times in high school and have nothing but great memories of him and his sharp humor (the best poker face— if I remember correctly :)). May you draw upon his memory for comfort during this terribly difficult time.
Love,
Natalie (Koczara) Ehredt
Dear Peggy and Family,
We were so sorry to hear of John’s passing. We worked together in Detroit and John was always fun loving and great to be around. So sad to lose another USSS colleague and a great guy.
With deepest condolences,
Don and Linda Gambatesa
Dear Peggy, Leslie, Barbara and John,
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of such a bright light in my life and so many others. I met John and all of you in Detroit during a transition time in my career. The friendship and mentoring which John and Peggy extended to me and my family left an imprint which remains today. John and all of you will remain in my heart. Thank you for sharing so much.
Dear Peggy, Leslie, Barb, & John,
We send our sincere condolences for the passing of John. I remember the first day I met him when he moved into his office at Anheuser-Busch. He was great to work for and treated everybody with respect. I will always remember him with a smile. He had a great sense of humor and could take it as well as he could give it. He was a leader who earned respect thorough his dedication to the job and his ability to motivate those around him. I will think of him every time I see Anheuser Busch, a Missouri State Patrol Officer, or an Uncle Bill’s Pancake House, and every time I will smile. May God lessen your grief during this very sad time.
Sincerely,
John & Betty Burke
Dear Peggy and Family
I was so sorry to hear about John. I don’t think a day past by, while working with him in the Detroit Field Office, that he didn’t have me laughing.
Once again, I am sorry.
Sincerely,
Colleen McIntyre
Our deepest sympathies to the Britt family from some old neighbors in Farmington Hills Michigan may John rest in peace
Peggy and Family
What a great man, husband, father, grand father and friend. I wish that we had comforting words at your time of need but we are always here for you.
Jerry and Joyce Robinson
Rest In Peace my fellow Chesterfield resident attendee at a Clayton Sunday morning coffee. Hope you took that last ride in your Corvette.
Peggy & family, John was a terrific colleague at A-B — professional, so good at his work, respectful, discreet and a really good man. I am sorry to learn of his death, way too young. You have my sympathies & prayers.
Dear Peggy and Family,
John was one of a kind, and I feel blessed to have known him. With his humor and self-effacing style, he made everyone who worked for him feel welcome and appreciated. He truly had a gift. And, although he worked hard, his love for his family was always evident. During the time we worked together, hearing his stories always eased even the most difficult situation. I learned a lot from him. He will be greatly missed.
Andrea
Dear Peggy and Family,
I’m so sorry to hear of John’s passing. “SAIC Britt” hired me into the USSS in 2001 and was instrumental in shaping my Federal Law Enforcement career. I was Blessed to know him. He walked with Presidents, Popes, and Kings, yet never lost the common touch. He was one of a kind and he will he missed by all who knew him. God Bless you, Boss. May perpetual light shine upon you.
Peggy;
Susan and I are saddened to learn of Johns passing. I remember seeing him learning to drive as I pumped gas at Art’s Sinclair Station in U City and become a Policeman with my dad and then going on into the Secret Service. He helped me learn the ropes when I followed him from the County Police to the St. Louis Office and we worked together again in Detroit for several years. Prayers for all you guys. Peter & Susan Damos
Dear Peggy and family,
Bill and I and all the Bracys are so sorry and heartbroken to hear of John’s passing. What a lovely guy– to this day, we laugh and treasure his jokes, great sense of humor and antics — especially with his photos perfectly placed in his parents home :). We send our love and prayers to you all.
Kathy and Bill Bernard
Peggy and Family,
So sudden and saddening.
Our hearts go out to you as we will miss him dearly! The angels have some top flight Protection Detail now. John Britt = The best.
Dear Peggy and Family,
I first met John nearly forty years ago, the beginning of a friendship with a man who had one of the most significant law enforcement careers of anyone I have known, making contributions in the local, state and federal arenas. Yes, he was a big deal, but he always made others feel they were the “big deal.” And what a razor-sharp sense of humor!
Over the years he offered me excellent advice for which I will always be grateful.
John will be missed as each of us reminisce in the future. I’ll be sure to toast him with one of his beloved AB products, especially on April 15.
Bonnie and I offer our sincere condolences to all of you.
Kevin Murphy
Rest In Peace my friend you always brought a smile and a laugh
John was well-liked by the media in St. Louis and was a man of integrity and professionalism. He will be missed.
Dear Peggy, Please accept my thoughts and prayers on the death of your husband. His obituary is amazing and I know he must have been an amazing husband, father and grandfather.. So sorry for your loss. XOXOXO. Ann Jackson Paradoski
Dear Peggy and Family,
It was truly an honor to know, work with, and call John my friend. He was one of the first people I met when I came to St. Louis and he welcomed me and made me feel at home. We worked together on a Presidential Debate and on many other events both locally and at the state. I cherished his expertise, his wisdom, and his great sense of humor. John taught me a lot just by his example. But I cherish most his friendship.
Chris and I are so sorry for your loss. May John rest in peace.
Don and Chris Strom
Dear Peggy and family,
He made me laugh! He was a kind, witty, caring person. Prayers to you and your family – he will be so missed.
🙏❤️ Gayle
Dear Britt family,
I am so sorry to hear of John’s passing. He was a wonderful friend to Teddy through the years. I have memories of him since I was a little one and he was so thoughtful to send me a AB baseball hat for my 50th birthday via our sister Sally. He was a very good man.
Cissy (Katie) Christman Conner
Dearest Peggy and Family
John was my very very dear friend and I will miss him deeply. He epitomized professionalism, character and integrity…
there were none better.
I can relate first hand your sadness and grief losing a spouse, but please be reassured that those feelings will transition into fond memories of a person you loved with all your heart and soul.
With my heartfelt sympathy and love.
Doug Cunningham
John was a gentleman and a true pro. I enjoyed working with him so much. He was absolutely invaluable at both AB and SeaWorld – and he was just fun to be around. I am forever grateful for him and I miss him already. RIP pal.
John Britt- he always had this sort of tone of voice- will never forget it. It was one of love, respect, a little dose of sarcasm, but always …. just plain fun. He and teddy , ( and the rest of the st. Joe hoodlums) were always connected. Sad for your family, he was too young… but he is with a great group of friends over that 🌈
John Britt- he always had this sort of tone of voice- will never forget it. It was one of love, respect, a little dose of sarcasm, but always …. just plain fun. He and teddy , ( and the rest of the st. Joe hoodlums) were always connected. Sad for your family, he was too young… but he is with a great group of friends over that 🌈
So sorry to learn of John’s passing. I lived down the street and played sandlot football with John and other neighbors. I well remember practicing being an altar boy in the Britt basement (even though I was Jewish). He was two years older and I always looked up to him (and all the Britts). May his memory be a blessing.
I haven’t lived in STL for a long time but was staying in Clayton this past weekend and thought wouldn’t it be wonderful to run into John Britt, so looked up his name. He was a high school weekend friend that I always liked so much. I sort of heard about him in the early years because of an old friend who was in Secret Service. Just wanted to acknowledge and send sympathy. Sherry Snell Forsee