Gerald Dale Barton's Obituary
BARTON, GERALD DALE 68, of Athens, Texas went peacefully to be with his heavenly Father on Saturday, July 2, 2011, after his 11 year battle with multiple myeloma. Gerald was born in Marshall, Texas on November 30, 1942, the son of Lester Ray Barton and Ida R.E. Smith Barton. He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Doris Stewart Barton; daughter, Allison Noel Barton; step-daughter, Kimberley Tomlin Sone; three grandchildren, Taylor Marie Sone, Charlotte Virginia Sone, and Brandon Stewart Sone ; God daughter, Melissa Weisend; his sister, Glenda Ray Johnson and her husband, Daniel Johnson; his niece and her husband, Holly Wyn and Sean Coulter. Gerald attended all of his high school years in Marshall, Texas graduating from Marshall High School in 1961. He attended Arlington State University and then completed his Bachelor of Arts degree at Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches, Texas. He attended Officers Training School and served his country as a specialist in the U.S. Army Artillery Diversion. Gerald was a generous spouse, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. After retirement from American Airlines, he and his wife moved back to East Texas where he loved to garden and fish and be with his family. He spent the remaining years of his life in Athens, Texas. He took great pride in his three precious grandchildren. He also was a faithful friend who endeared himself to everyone who knew him. His strong sense of independence and strength will forever be with the ones who knew him well. He loved people and never met a stranger. He always took the time to reach out and to help others. He was a strong, quiet man who never complained about his pain or illness. He focused, instead, on providing love and support to his family. He loved life. He loved to clown around, loved to have fun, and loved to laugh. He was forever an optimist, a one of a kind, and he will be greatly missed by all. He lived life until the day he died. His last days were spent with his loving wife on their farm just as he would have wanted. We love you, and we will miss you Papa G. Service will be held at 12:30PM, Friday, July 8, 2011 at Restland Wildwood Chapel with visitation 1 hour prior to service in the chapel. In lieu of flowers, we would like donations made to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation at http://support.themmrf.org/goto/geraldbarton
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