Don Barton

Services for Don R. Barton, 76 of Tyler, will be held on Thursday, July 20, 2006 at 2:30 P.M. at Stewart Family Funeral Home with Dr. Stuart Baskin officiating. Burial will follow in the Cathedral in the Pines in Tyler under direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home. Mr. Barton passed, Sunday, July 16, 2006 in Tyler. He was born May 29, 1930 in Cisco, Texas to Mary Z. (Mashburn) and L.D Barton. He was a member of St. Johns Masonic Lodge. Mr. Barton was a graduate of Longview High School, attended Kemper Military School and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin where he played football and baseball. Don went on to play for the Green Bay Packers in 1953-54 until he was drafted into the Army. In the Army, he was a 1st Lt. in the Fort Knox Kentucky Armored Division following his service he became a football coach. Coach Barton began his coaching career in Sherman as an Assistant Coach and from there went on to be a head coach in El Paso, Corpus Christi, Atlanta, and Robert E. Lee High School in Tyler. During Coach Barton's last year at Robert E. Lee he became the Vice President of Texas High School Coaches Association. He then became the athletic director of Tyler Independent School District in 1973 and retired in 1988. Don R. Barton is survived by his loving family including his wife of 52 years, Marjorie Anne Barton; his daughter, Leslie Vick and husband Gary of Trophy Club; daughter, Kelli Rapini and husband Vince of California; five grandchildren, Brad and wife Kristen, Natalie and Kyle Vick, Jake and Garrett Rapini; and two great-grandchildren Hailey and Ashlyn Vick; a sister, Patsy Thompson and husband Pat of Grand Prairie; as well as several nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Cecil Roach, Larry Wilson, Tom Bates, Ned Duncan, Joe Eakin, and Jack Neil. Honorary Pallbearers will be any of Coach Barton?s former players. The family will receive friends from 6:00 - 8:00 P.M. Wednesday, at Stewart Family Funeral Home, 7525 Old Jacksonville Hwy., Tyler, Texas 75703. Memorials in honor of Don R. Barton may be made to Children?s Village or a Charity of your choice. CHILDREN'S VILLAGE, Echo Hills, Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522 For more information or to express condolences, visit www.stewartfamilyfuneral.com.

Don Barton

May 29, 1930 - July 16, 2006