Gospel preacher, educator, and elder. He taught Bible at Burritt College in Spencer, TN, served as minister and elder of the Spencer church of Christ.

This tribute appeared in the Gospel Advocate: Widely-known minister of the church of Christ, John S. Templeton, 86 year-old resident of Spencer, Tenn., succumbed to a week's illness in White County Hospital in Sparta February 23, 1976. His preaching career spanned more than a half-century. He held regular preaching positions in Van Buren, Warren, Bledsoe, while, Cumberland, and Sequatchie counties as well as Alabama city and Gadsden, Ala. On September 16, 1911, he was wed to the former Parriet Curtis, who proceeded him in death. He was a son of the late John Sam Templeton, Sr., and Adeline Sapkes Templeton. Survivors include four sons and three daughters: Leslie, Home and Clifford Tempelton, of McMinnville; Curtis Templeton, Spencer, Tenn.; Mrs. Aubrey Cole, Murfreesboro; Mrs. Eugene Bess of McMinnville; and Mrs. Milton Mitchell, Spencer; two sisters and a brother: Mrs. Fred Dillard, Gadsden, Ala.; Mrs. Lonnie Emery, Fort Payne, Ala.; Elbert Templeton, Crossville, Ala.; twenty one grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. This writer and Bobby Wilhite conducted funeral services in the Spencer church Wednesday, February 25, 1976. Interment was in the Molloy Cemetery. Brother Templeton served as an elder during his retired years at the Spencer church of Christ. He served in this office health forced him to resign last year. He was an Individual who was well respected by the church, as well as those in the community. He was always known for the good things he could say about individuals. His policy was that if anything good couldn't be said about anyone, he would say nothing at all. He was also known for his guiding influence that he gave to young people who had a desire to preach the gospel. Many seasoned preachers well remember the encouraging words of Brother Templeton when they delivered their first sermons. He will be missed by many, those who loved him and those outside of the Lord's church. -Kenneth W. Tollett --- Gospel Advocate, April 8, 1976, 238-39.