Richard Barton
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Memorial services for Richard E. “Dick” Barton, 71, Lawrence, will be at 3:00 p.m. Friday, March 5, 2010, at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence. Private inurnment will be at Walnut Valley Cemetery, El Dorado, Kansas. Mr. Barton died on Friday, February 19, 2010, at home.
He was born August 16, 1938, in Hutchinson, Kansas, the son of Gene and Margaret Ulsfer Barton.
Mr. Barton graduated from St. Mary’s High School, Wichita, Kansas in 1955. Upon graduation he joined the Kansas Air National Guard. He was honorably discharged in 1968 as a Senior Master Sergeant, in the 184th Combat Support Squadron, Kansas Air National Guard, McConnell AFB in Wichita, Kansas.
After leaving the military service, he became a stock broker with Dupont, Glore, & Forgan. He worked in that capacity from 1968 thru 1972, when he joined Pizza Hut Corporation. He served in various real estate capacities with both the parent company and the franchisees until his retirement in 1995. The last position he held was National Director of Property Management.
He was a member and past president of Alvamar Country Club, and was an life-long avid golfer.
Mr. Barton married Kathleen M. Stavely on August 16, 1957. They had five children, and were divorced in 1977. On July 30, 1982, he married Mildred M. “Millie” Fuller who survives of the home.
Other survivors include his children: three daughters, Laura Cowperthwaite, Denver, Colorado, Theresa Sapp, Dallas, Texas, Buffy Barton-Davis, New York, New York; step-daughter, Carrie Taber, Lawrence, Kansas, two sons; Douglas Barton, Chicago, IL, David Barton, Wichita and 14 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his only brother, James Barton.
The family suggests memorial contributions to the Douglas County Visiting Nurses, Rehabilitation and Hospice Care and sent in care of the mortuary.
Millie, I’m so sorry to hear that Dick has passed on but know that this last months have been hard on you both. May you find comfort knowing that he is in a better place and you have taken good care of him.
Laura, Jan Blubaugh’s sister
You’ll be missed Uncle Dick. Smiley ring and all. You gave us nothing but fond memories of good times in Wichita.
Kathleen, Laura, Terry, Doug, Buffy and David:
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Warmest regards,
Brigitte and Parker
When I was in 4th grade some girl friends and I spent an afternoon at Joy Land, our local amusement park. I loved the water pistol game where you shot into a tall tube and a red ball floated to the top as water filled the tube. I was good at it. My red ball always reached the top first and then bells and sirens would go off announcing the victor. After winning several rounds of the game, I cashed out choosing a silver smiley-face ring. Father’s Day was coming up and now I had a gift for Dad. He never took the ring off and when it fell off his finger from wear, Mom had a gold one made. The gold smiley-face ring graced his right pinky for the rest of his life and was far more than a piece of jewelry. It was the symbol of his life’s guiding principle – Think Happy Thoughts. And it really was that simple for him. He always said, “Happiness is a choice.”
When we were young a really special day with Dad was a trip to the Duck Pond. We’d load up in the back of his MG, top down, sitting up on the trunk with our feet dangling into the space behind the seats. We’d spend a few minutes feeding the ducks and then the adventure would begin. For those of you who remember the Duck Pond you’ll recall, it was bounded on the west (I think) by Kellogg, and the other 3 sides were newly constructed late-60’s / early 70’s neighborhoods with lots of cul-de-sacs and windy streets. In the game, Dad would drive around the neighborhood, turning right & left, doubling back, twisting turning and in general doing his best to confuse us. Then it was our job to tell him which way to go to get back to the Duck Pond. Try as we might he always bested us. I don’t think we were ever able to find our way back. And now he’s gone from our world off on a new adventure of his own. And we are here left to our own devices, to find our way without him.
But he did not leave us without guidance. During one of our recent visits with him he brought out a small bag filled with identical boxes. He asked each of us kids to “choose one” but not open until he said it was OK. Inside the boxes were five identical smiley-face rings, our road map from Dad on how to live life.
Think Happy Thoughts!
When I was in 4th grade some girl friends and I spent an afternoon at Joy Land, our local amusement park. I loved the water pistol game where you shot into a tall tube and a red ball floated to the top as water filled the tube. I was good at it. My red ball always reached the top first and then bells and sirens would go off announcing the victor. After winning several rounds of the game, I cashed out choosing a silver smiley-face ring. Father’s Day was coming up and now I had a gift for Dad. He never took the ring off and when it fell off his finger from wear, Mom had a gold one made. The gold smiley-face ring graced his right pinky for the rest of his life and was far more than a piece of jewelry. It was the symbol of his life’s guiding principle – Think Happy Thoughts. And it really was that simple for him. He always said, “Happiness is a choice.”
When we were young a really special day with Dad was a trip to the Duck Pond. We’d load up in the back of his MG, top down, sitting up on the trunk with our feet dangling into the space behind the seats. We’d spend a few minutes feeding the ducks and then the adventure would begin. For those of you who remember the Duck Pond you’ll recall, it was bounded on the west (I think) by Kellogg, and the other 3 sides were newly constructed late-60’s / early 70’s neighborhoods with lots of cul-de-sacs and windy streets. In the game, Dad would drive around the neighborhood, turning right & left, doubling back, twisting turning and in general doing his best to confuse us. Then it was our job to tell him which way to go to get back to the Duck Pond. Try as we might he always bested us. I don’t think we were ever able to find our way back. And now he’s gone from our world off on a new adventure of his own. And we are here left to our own devices, to find our way without him.
But he did not leave us without guidance. During one of our recent visits with him he brought out a small bag filled with identical boxes. He asked each of us kids to “choose one” but not open until he said it was OK. Inside the boxes were five identical smiley-face rings, our road map from Dad on how to live life.
Think Happy Thoughts!
I just wanted to send my love out to the family. For any man to have raised such an amazing women as La must have been an exceptional man. I know that he will live on through her love and example of such a beautiful person. My love to all
Dear Dick,
You were a great friend and a super classmate. May you rest in peace.
Nick
Good bye old friend. May you be in heaven an hour before the devil knows your gone.
Dear Dick,
Here’s to a great frind and classmate. We’ll miss your warm smiles at the Reunion, but we take comfort in knowing that today you Saints.
God Bless.
Steve
Rest in peace dear Dick
Dear Friend Dick, although you are gone from this world, You will never be forgotten
Dear Barton Family, you guys have lost a great one. I remember when I was around 10 I made a bet with Dick on who would win a pro football game. I won the bet (he had to have known that I would—I am sure the spread was huge). He converted the several dollars into pennies, put them in a big jar, filled it with pancake syrup, and presented it to me. He laughed so hard over that one. It took me forever to get the syrup off those pennies! He was a Dad that made other kids envious. He had the greatest laugh.
I am so sorry he’s left the planet. My heart goes out to you all.
Love
Curt Clonts
Carrie and Millie – Thinking of your during this great loss. He was such a wonderful man.
By some miracle of fate, I was lucky enough to know Dick Barton. More than that, I am lucky enough to be a part of his family. For that I will be forever grateful. I am one lucky gal to have had him for a father-in-law and a friend. He will be missed but will remain in my heart forever.
Ellen
I meet Dick at Alvmar Public snack bar when I was the Manager. He was always very nice and kind to myself and my staff when he was at the snack bar. We used to visit all the time when he came in and being so far away from home which is New York ,I would tell Dick how I came to to Lawrence and how hard it was being away from my Dad. He always have great advice for me. We were talking one day and I told Dick I used to work at LMH and to my suprise he told me he had daughter that used to work there. So I said who of course who, he said Terry Sapp and my respone was oh you mean Sappo. We laughed and said what a small world. Please except my deepest condolences to the family and I will say a prayer and please know I will never forget what a special man Dick was. Dick everytime I go to Alvamar know you will help guide my shots into the flag pin.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Barton family. We are lucky to live next to Doug Barton family. I know Doug’s Dad will be missed. God Bless Richard Barton
Doug, Ken and I are so sorry for your loss. Losing a loved one is never an easy thing, particularly a parent. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and all of your family.
Janet and Ken
Laura, Terry, Doug, Buffy, David
Happy Thoughts- Your father alway, and I stress always, wore a loving smile. Thanks for sharing the story behind the ring which you all now wear. I love you all.
Dick was a great guy and I always had fun when he was around. He spawned some of the greatest kids ever, and he’ll be missed.
I have a lot of wonderful memories of my step-dad. There was the time we were in a rush to clean up the house before mom came home. Unbeknownst to me he put liquid dish soap in the dishwasher. I walked into the kitchen to find soap suds pouring out of the sides of the dishwasher. I’ve never seen so many bubbles! Then there was the time he wanted to show my mom how to shoot a BB gun. Unfortunately he chose the metal birdfeeder in our backyard as a target. The BB ricocheted off the birdfeeder and shattered the neighbor’s sliding glass door. There was never a dull moment when Dick was around. I will treasure all of my wonderful memories. While I was not his daughter in flesh and blood, I was his daughter in his heart and in mine. I will miss you every day! Love, Carrie
There are just some parents – Mr. Barton being one of them – who leave such a positive imprint on the blur of our youth. How he put up with all of us, god only knows! Michael and I are keeping all of you wonderful Bartons in our hearts and prayers. Much love, Annie
Dear Doug,
We are so sorry to hear about your dad’s passing. Having read the postings of those that knew and loved him, I can see that the apple (you) didn’t fall far from a wonderful tree. We will keep you and your family in our thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Beth & David
There are just some parents – Mr. Barton being one of them – who leave such a positive imprint on the blur of our youth. How he put up with all of us, god only knows! Michael and I are keeping all of you wonderful Bartons in our hearts and prayers. Much love, Annie
Doug and family, Im very sorry about the passing of your dad. I did not know him, but through Ellen , I know he was a great dad. You and your family are in are thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
glad to have your family as friends, your truely a great group.
much love, Annette and family
Doug and family,you are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Doug – Joan and I were so sorry to hear of the loss of your father. Parents are the bedrock of our lives – and it sounds from all the comments that your father was a wonderful person, beloved by many – our thoughts and prayers are with you.
We are all so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with each of you.
Dear Doug, Ellen, Lily, Fred, Audrey, Laura, Terry and Buffy,
Just wanted you all to know that we are thinking of you and praying for you at this difficult time. I know you have a close bond and you will pull through together as a family.
I’m so sorry to learn of Dick’s death. I enjoyed knowing him for the past 10+ years. He was a wonderful man, and will be sorely missed.
Dougie & family……I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your father. It warms my heart Doug, thinking of the huge smile on your face whenever you mentioned your father. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family…..love you! ~xoxo~
Dougie & family……I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your father. It warms my heart Doug, thinking of the huge smile on your face whenever you mentioned his name. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family…..love you! ~xoxo~
Our conversations on the golf course about your love of hot dogs were some of the most fun I have ever had on a golf course. I will really miss seeing you at the course.
Grandpa Dick, even though you were not my grandpa in blood, I consider you to be a grandpa to me. The summers Katie and I spent in Lawrence are the best summers of my childhood and most of that was because of you. All the times we spent sitting in your living room talking and telling stories were so great. You were the nicest, sweetest, most genuine caring man I think I have ever met and it makes me sad that I can’t go back and chat with you. I remember when we would stay at your house and you would tell us not to run onto the golf course to hang on the weeping willows. So naturally, Katie and I would run onto the golf course and do just that. We always thought we were so sneaky because you never caught us. I know you saw us from the upstairs windows, but wanted us to have fun and just be kids so you never said anything. Thank you for everything you did for everyone and treating me as part of the family for all these years. I will miss you so much.
Dear Barton family my prayers are with you at this time. I served with your father in the 184th Tac Ftr Gp. He was the go to guy in personnel policy as well as a good friend. Dick will be missed by all who knew him.
Uncle Dick we’ll miss you! I will always remember the time he brought us to an amusement park in Wichita on one of our yearly treks out from Chicago. He would only take us if we all called him Dad for the day. So between the 5 Barton’s and the 4 Laketa’s (Sue you were too young) he had 9 kids for the day and loved every minute of it SO DID WE! Love you forever. Kay, Bill and family
We, Pat and I are so very sorry to hear about the passing of Dick. To those who
are left to remember, Millie, Cathleen, Laura, Theresa, Buffy, Douglas, David and Children, I want to express our deep feeling of loss. Dick was a friend, one of the really good guys and we will miss him.
With warmest regards and love to all.
Richard and Pat
I know you and your father shared many good moments, you have my deepest sympathy for your loss. Warmest regards Scott and Karin.
Doug:
We know you’re Dad was fighting a batlle he couldn’t win. Take solice in the knowledge that you enjoyed many good years with him. He’s in a better place now and would want you and the family to move forward. Please accept our deepest sympathies.
Ron & Joan Pettineo
Lara, We’ve spoke many times about the depth of love we have for our fathers. His absence will be missed physically, but the love, and the lessons you learned from him will never be gone. You will always find a piece of your father alive, and well in the many more lessons you have yet to learn from him, his presence is just coming from a different realm now. With much love, Carla
Ever since I can remember..I made it a tradition to visit Grandpa Dick. Year after year I would look forward to that week in August when I got to go to Kansas and see Grandpa. I would check out his new 3-D puzzle creations or try to go through old toys in storage. He always made me feel so comfortable and tended to my every need without a desire for anything in return. Gpa D was a great man with a beautiful outlook on life. He has changed me for the better in ways I know I am not even aware. As I got older I started to bring friends with me to Kansas ( so I could show them how cool my family was). All of my friends were captivated by the kindness and easy going attitude of grandpa. I remember one time he even arranged for my friends and I to have a golf lesson from an actual pro golfer (very cute I may add). Looking back there was never a dull or somber moment with grandpa. He was always, always happy. He never hesitated if I needed a ride somewhere and he always made sure to throw in a few bucks for whatever I wanted. I know that I am truly Blessed from up above to be a part of this family and to have had such a great relationship with this man. I love you always and forever grandpa.
Ever since I can remember..I made it a tradition to visit Grandpa Dick. Year after year I would look forward to that week in August when I got to go to Kansas and see Grandpa. I would check out his new 3-D puzzle creations or try to go through old toys in storage. He always made me feel so comfortable and tended to my every need without a desire for anything in return. Gpa D was a great man with a beautiful outlook on life. He has changed me for the better in ways I know I am not even aware. As I got older I started to bring friends with me to Kansas ( so I could show them how cool my family was). All of my friends were captivated by the kindness and easy going attitude of grandpa. I remember one time he even arranged for my friends and I to have a golf lesson from an actual pro golfer (very cute I may add). Looking back there was never a dull or somber moment with grandpa. He was always, always happy. He never hesitated if I needed a ride somewhere and he always made sure to throw in a few bucks for whatever I wanted. I know that I am truly Blessed from up above to be a part of this family and to have had such a great relationship with this man. I love you always and forever grandpa.
Doug, I’m very sorry for you an your families loss. My prayers are with you.
Memories are a wounderful thing.
Your friend,
Linda Owens
Doug,
My deepest condolences to you and your family. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Jim Watt
My thoughts and prayers continue to be with you and your family Doug. Your father must have been a great man to have a son who turned out so well. God bless you and all your loved ones.
Edward Corrigan