John Wesley Wroten Jr. “Johnny,” 73, died on Thursday, August 20, 2026, at his residence. He was born on May 15, 1953, and he was a lifelong resident of Gwynn’s Island in Mathews County. He graduated from Mathews High School in 1971. Johnny enjoyed building racing engines and drag racing in his younger years. Together with his best friend, David Hernandez, they built a 1969 Pontiac GTO drag car, “Chug-A-Boom,” which they raced at the drag strip for several years. That all ended with David’s death in 1988.
In later life, he got a lot of pleasure working on his family history. He was a member of Gwynn’s Island Baptist Church, Mathews Volunteer Fire Department, SAR, and SCV. Johnny’s greatest pleasure in life was being the “oilman” at WROTEN OIL! He was riding on the oil truck with his dad before he could walk and grew up in the business. Johnny served as President from the time of his father’s death in 1977 until the present time. In the last years, he has been so happy to have his stepson, Eric Beckley, join him in the business and take a very active part in all operations. Johnny was totally convinced that Eric was prepared to take over all operations of the business and provide all the services our wonderful customers have come to expect over the last 70 years!
He was predeceased by his parents, John Wesley Wroten and Marjorie Gertrude Belch Wroten.
Johnny is survived by his beloved family; his wife, Mary; son, Eric (Martha); daughters, Sarah (Ricardo), Sophie (Shawn), and grandchildren, Lorena, Wyatt, and Rose. We especially want to thank everyone associated with Riverside Walter Reed Hospital and Riverside Regional. They treated Johnny so well over the years, and we are certainly thankful for all their love and kindness! It is very hard to put into words our feelings about the Hospice service he received. We really feel that THE GOOD LORD put all HIS best angels in hospice. The last thing we want all to know is that we love every one of you with all our hearts! Thank you!!
The family received friends on Sunday, August 23, 2026, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Faulkner Funeral Homes, Foster-Faulkner Chapel, Mathews. A funeral service was held at 2 p.m. in the funeral home chapel, with burial following the service at Gwynn’s Island Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Mathews Volunteer Fire Dept., P.O. Box 1130, Mathews, Va. 23109, or to the Mathews Volunteer Rescue Squad, 94 Cricket Hill Road, Hudgins, Va. 23076.