Carl Joseph “Joe” Britton, 57, of Sweet Home, Oregon passed away Monday, June 11. He was born in Lebanon to Darold Wayne and Carol Marie (Whitney) Britton.

He was born and raised in Lebanon, but also lived in Albany, Redmond, LaPine, Sparks, Nevada and Sacramento, California. He moved to Sweet Home in 2012.

Carl was a chef. He worked at KFC, Chili Bowl, and Mitchel’s Steak House—all in Lebanon. He owned a drive-thru in Redmond for a short time and worked for a diner in La Pine. He then worked at Tom Tom in Albany before he moved to Sparks, Nevada to start a career with Denny’s. He then moved to Sacramento, California to fill a management position with Denny’s.

He loved to sit in the sun and listen to music. He was very knowledgable of all music. Grace Slick was his favorite. He loved walking in the sun and picking blackberries. Loved cooking for everyone and making holiday cookies to share all over town. Was very social with all business in our little Sweet Home. He loved his coffee more than anyone I know. Having dinner parties brought him so much happiness. Loved, loved his family and being present at all the gatherings. He loved his boy, Chris, so much and was very proud of him. Cared so much for all the kids in the family. He just loved everyone.

Carl is survived by his son, Chris Steele, of Sacramento, California; father and step-mother Darold and Diana Britton of Coos Bay; sisters Anna Marie Strom of Klamath Falls and Denise Long Britton of Alaska; nieces Liz and Trisha; numerous cousins from adults to small children; the Whitney family: Uncle Dennis and family of La Pine and aunts Ellen and Ida and their families of Cottage Grove; uncles Allan and his family of Brownsville and Jim of Sisters.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Carol Weathers; paternal grandparents Harold and DeLoris Britton; maternal grandparents Marion and Carmelita Whitney.

A Celebration of Life will be at 11:00 a.m., Sunday, June 17, at Downtown Lounge, 1234 Main Street, Sweet Home.

Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling arrangements.