Bellville Times
Thursday, July 03, 2003
Funeral services for Richard L. Barton, Sr, 78, owner and former
editor/publisher of The Fayette County Record were held Tuesday, June 24,
2003 at 10 a.m. from St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in La Grange.
He was born in Hominy Osage County, Oklahoma on April 23, 1925, the son of
Lillie Mae Cross and James Homer Barton. He attended school in Hominy
graduating in 1943 and then entered the army in the fall. He became a
member of the 82nd Airborne, 325th Glider Infantry as a pathfinder and was part
of the battle coded as "Market Garden" in the area regarding the "Bridge Too
Far" in Holland.
He was wounded and received the Purple Heart and Bronze Service Arrowhead. After his discharge from the Army, he attended Oklahoma A&M University at Stillwater, OK., Oklahoma A&M University Branch School at Okmulgee, OK., Phillips University at Enid, OK., the University of Oklahoma at Norman, OK., and Draughans' Business College in Oklahoma City. He received a bachelor of arts degree in journalism from the University of Oklahoma in 1949.
He married Nelda Killgore in Hominy on Dec. 24, 1946 at the First
Christian Church. He has worked on newspapers in Frederick, OK., Seagraves, TX.,
Hugoton, KN., Enid, OK., Portageville, MO., and in Rosenberg/Richmond
where he worked as advertising manager/editor and publisher. He purchased The
Fayette County Record in March 1976, and was managing editor/publisher
until he retired in 1988 at which time he appointed Richard L. Barton, Jr. to
fill the position of editor/publisher.
While living in Rosenberg he served on the church board for Central
Christian Church, was president and served in other capacities. He was a
member of the Rotary Club for over 45 years and served as president in
Rosenberg. He also served two terms as president of the Chamber of
Commerce in Rosenberg.
Mr. Barton is survived by his wife of 56 years, one son, Richard L.
"Dickie" Barton, Jr. and wife Nonnie, one daughter, Regina Keilers and husband
Armin, and six grandchildren, Stacy and Richard L. "Trey" Barton III, and Tanya,
Tara, Toni and Todd Keilers and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and two sisters.
He had been a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church since moving to La
Grange.
The family requests that memorials be made to the St. Mark's Foundation, 485
N. Jefferson, Suite 5, La Grange, Texas 78945 or the charity of your
choice.
Posted by Joy Neely
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