John Riley Fulton

John Riley Fulton, 88 of Gatesville, Texas passed peacefully away in the early hours of March 5, 2026. 

A Visitation will be held at Scott’s Funeral Home on Sunday, March 15, 2026 from 2:00 to 4:00 PM for family and friends.

John was born in Goldthwaite, Texas to J.R. Fulton and Gracie Partridge Fulton on December 15, 1937. He lost his father when he was 8 years old, but he was blessed with a wonderful stepfather, H.A. “Red” Mathis. He grew up in Goldthwaite, Lampasas and Gatesville, Texas playing football and working cattle with Red. He was voted “The Most Valuable Back” for two years and was selected for the “The Super Centex Team”.

He graduated from Gatesville High School in 1956 and went on to play football at TCU and Trinty University. He joined Sigma Chi fraternity while at TCU. He graduated from Trinity University in January of 1961 with a Bachelor of Science degree.

John married Catherine Lee Brown on December 23, 1960. They had been friends since they were 14 and 15 years old; They were blessed with 65 years of love and companionship and three wonderful sons. John and Catherine spent most of the next 30 years in San Antonio where their sons were born and grew up. John coached football at Longfellow Jr. High, Burbank High School, Highlands High (two separate times), and Madison High in the San Antonio area with short trips to Carrizo Springs and Freeport. He touched the lives of many young men without know it. Thirty years had passed when one of his ex-players told him that something John said changed his life. He retired from coaching at Belton High in 1995.

In 1990 after moving to Belton, John and Catherine built a home on the Mathis Farm near Gatesville that belonged to his mother. They had twenty wonderful years there watching the grandchildren grow up. The sons all now lived in the Gatesville area, one in the original house on the farm. During this time, they purchased a vacation cabin in Ruidoso, New Mexico. The time in New Mexico holds some very special memories. It was one of John's favorite places to be. As John’s health began to decline, his grandchildren and great grandchildren became his greatest comfort--watching them grow especially on holidays when the whole family would gather.

Remaining to cherish John’s memory are wife, Catherine; Sons, John David Fulton, Mark Lynn Fulton, and Scott Austin Fulton; Grandchildren, Mary Kaherine Fulton, Alex (Shelby) Fulton, and Sarah (Westin) Isbell; Great Grand Children, Noah Milsap, Tahra Fulton, Bae Fulton, Norah Fulton, Harper Isbell, and Joshua Fulton; Brother and Sister-law, Bob and Nancy Pratt; Nieces, Jennifer Welsh Sebesta and Kim Pratt Lawrance; Nephew, Jeff Pratt; Special Cousins, Wynona Barnett Winters and Barbara Chandler; and Special Friends, Curtis Logan and Wade Sadler.

Preceding John in death are Parents J.R and Gracie Partridge Fulton and Stepfather H.A. Mathis; Father and Mother-in-law Dr. John and Francis Brown; and Sister-in-law Mabel Ann Brown Welsh.

The family of John Fulton wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Amedisys Hospice especially to Jodi and Ashly for their tender loving care of John and much needed support for the family.

Memorials may be given to Coryell Museum & Historical Center, Box 24, Gatesville, Texas 76528 or to the charity of your choice.