John H. Shotton
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John H. Shotton, 56, of Ashburn, VA, formerly of Alexandria, passed away unexpectedly on October 8, 2021, as a result of a medical event. John was born on October 29, 1964 to John A. and Catherine (Murphy) Shotton in Beaver Falls, PA. John graduated from Beaver Falls High School, Taft Junior College, and Geneva College. In addition, John attended Fresno State University on a football scholarship until he sustained a career ending injury during his junior year. After college, John graduated from the Pennsylvania Police Academy and served 11 years as a police officer with the Beaver Falls and Pine Township police departments. In 1998, John, and his wife, Colette, relocated from Western Pennsylvania to Alexandria, VA. John worked as an insurance investigator for Marriott International and Crawford and Company. For the last 14 years, John was employed by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) where he was a Senior Case Analyst in the Missing Children Division. While living in Alexandria, John served as an assistant JV high school football coach at Bishop Ireton High School. Coaching was one was one of his greatest joys. John's greatest passion was his family. He married his high school sweetheart and over the last 31 years they built a happy life together where they prioritized family values and their Catholic Faith. The couple's life was made complete by the birth of their daughter, Adalie. John desired to be the best father possible for his daughter. He spent countless hours coaching Adalie in lacrosse and was very proud when she was named to the Virginia High School League all-state team. Every day, through his actions, John taught Adalie to be responsible, compassionate, work hard, and have faith in God. He was best known for his big stature - and even bigger personality. John never met a stranger and had a strong sense of humor. In all aspects of his life, John served others and he would not have wanted it any other way. John would want to be remembered as a loving husband, exceptional father, and a person who tried to good while here on earth. Left to cherish John's memory are his wife, Colette (Ferris), daughter, Adalie, sisters Cindy (Ron) Gossard, and Connie (Joseph) Csoman, along with friends and coworkers with whom he formed close bonds. John was preceded in death by his parents and mother-in-law, Virginia Ferris. Family will receive friends on Sunday, October 24, 2021 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm at Colonial Funeral Home of Leesburg, 201 Edwards Ferry Rd., NE., Leesburg, VA 20176. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, October 25, 2021 at St. Theresa Catholic Church, Ashburn, VA. Interment will follow at Union Cemetery, King Street, Leesburg, VA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Little Sisters of the Poor - Virginia https://littlesistersofthepoorvirginia.weshareonline.org/ws/opportunities/GiftinMemoryofaDeceasedLovedOne/donate