JOHN HOWARD CORRISTON, JR., 79, of Paris, died at 12:52 PM, Sunday, March 11, 2012 at Paris Regional Medical Center-South.  A Mass of Christian Burial is set for 11:00 AM, Thursday, March 15, 2012 at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church with Father Morgan White as celebrant.  Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery.  A Rosary service will be held at 6:30 PM Wednesday evening at the funeral home with Father Guillermo Gabriel Maisonet officiating with a visitation immediately following from 7:00 to 8:00 PM.  Fry & Gibbs Funeral Home has charge of the arrangements.

Mr. Corriston was born on New Year’s Day of 1933 to John Howard and Elizabeth Corriston, Sr. in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania.  Following graduation from high school, he attended the University of Pennsylvania on a football scholarship earning a bachelor’s degree from the Wharton School of Business.  He married Gerry Anne DePasquale on November 17, 1956 in Camden, New Jersey.  Mr. Corriston retired from management with the Campbell Soup Company after 39 years of employment.  He was active with the Boys and Girls Club of the Red River Valley serving as its president, on the board of directors, and was inducted to the Wall of Fame in 2009.  He also volunteered for the local Meals on Wheels.  He was a member of Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church.

Mr. Corriston is survived by his wife, Gerry A. Corriston of Paris; four children, Leslie Begley and husband, Gordon of Riverview, Florida, Howard Corriston III and wife, Beckie of Paris, Robin Gugger and husband, Jerry of Southampton,  Pennsylvania, and Brian Corriston and wife, Sherry of Spring, Texas; nine grandchildren, Stephanie Wynn and husband, Todd, Michelle Begley, Gordon Begley, Crysta Lamb and husband, Josh, Craig Corriston, Jerry Gugger, Lauren Gugger, Madison Corriston, and Bryce Corriston; two great-grandchildren, Ava Lamb and Luke Lamb; one sister, Mildred Clark; and a nephew, Dr. Ronald E. Clark, both of Cherry Hill, New Jersey.

Pallbearers will be Denis Frank, Henry Shaw, Craig Corriston, Josh Lamb, Jerry Gugger, Sr., Jerry Gugger, Jr., and Gordon Begley III.

If desired, memorials may be made to the Saint Vincent DePaul Society or the Boys and Girls Club of the Red River Valley.