James G. Barton

Services for James G. Barton, 81, of Tyler, will be held on Thursday, February 13, 2014, at 1:30 PM at Shiloh Road Church of Christ with Mike Warner and Ron Shultz officiating. Visitation is scheduled from 5:00 –7:00 PM on Wednesday, February 12, 2-14 at Stewart Family Funeral Home, 7525 Old Jacksonville Highway, in Tyler. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery in Tyler under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home. Our beloved, husband, father and friend, James Glen Barton passed away peacefully, February 8, 2014 following a lengthy illness. Mr. Barton was born January 20, 1933 in Crims Chapel, Texas to Clay Jefferson and Emma Jewel Mathis Barton. James was a giant of a man to those who were blessed to know him; always kind, always giving, always helping and always faithful to God. He started school in a one room school house in Crims Chapel. “Proper” attire for school was striped overalls and bare feet. James attended Henderson public schools and participated in baseball, football and track and was named to Boys State. His first job was on a water truck washing the beautiful brick streets of downtown Henderson, while the statue of Thomas J. Rusk looked on. Later, James attended Henderson Business School. He met Joy while in high school and she asked him out when she was 15. She said she decided to keep him forever so after graduation James and Joy were married and enjoyed 61 ½ years together. He joined the US Air Force, Airman 2nd Class and was a flight engineer on c-45 plane used to transport the “Brass”. James then went to Highway Patrol School and served as a Texas Highway Patrol Officer for 10 years stationed in Terrell and Henderson. He became a Deputy Marshal in 1963 and then rose to Supervisor Deputy US Marshal, then Chief Deputy US Marshal. James was nominated by then Senator John Tower and Lloyd Benson for US Marshal of the Eastern District of Texas. He then was appointed by President Jimmy Carter, Democrat, and then later reappointed by President Ronald Reagan, Republican, presidential nomination for the United States Marshal position where he held that position for many years. Following his service as a US Marshal, James worked for G.S.S.C. in charge of security of the Federal Court Houses for many states. James and his love, Joy, traveled many places all over the US through his work and they had a ball! In many ways, James was part of history; he was called to Mississippi and Louisiana to help with the integration upheaval. He was also involved in the Jimmy Hoffa case. He was always professional and respectful to anyone he worked with. He had a great life and was fortunate to enjoy many, many good times with friends and relatives. Earlier in his life, James enjoyed playing golf and his annual pheasant hunt trip with friends to South Dakota, but his favorite thing to do was drop a hook in the water and fish with his friends. He adored his grandchildren and would do anything for them. Working in the garden and growing fresh food was another love of his. James served as a deacon at Ridgewood Church of Christ in Beaumont where he was in charge of the benevolent program, taught classes and worked with teenagers. He served on the Board of Directors of Camp Red Oak Springs, near Newton, a summer camp for young people. Upon his move to Tyler in 1985, he became a member at Shiloh Road Church of Christ. He served as deacon and then an elder in charge of benevolence, as well as teaching classes, managed the youth baseball team and played on the church baseball team. James was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers, Clinton Barton and Billy Barton. He is survived by his loving family including his wife Joy Barton; daughters, Kim Carlton and husband Sam of Forney, Karla Gregory and husband Al of Tyler; grandchildren, Rowdy (Samuel James) Carlton, Dustin Parks, and Paige Parks; great-grandchildren, Lezlea Parks, Damen Parks and Nevaeh Parks; sisters-in-law, JoNan Barton, Betty Barton, June Craig, Glenda Darragh and husband Ed; and many nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be team members from Henderson High School sports teams, graduating class of 1951, Ernest Winfrey, Larry Wilson, Charles (Shorty) White, nephews, Chuck Ashmore, and Billy Keith Barton, Don Craig and Joe Crawford. Honorary pallbearers will be Weldon Booth, Tommy Parrish, Charles Preston, Bill Shanklin, Les Burkett, Robert “Bobby” Riggs and John Davis. The family would like to offer a special thank you to the ETMC 3rd floor nursing staff for their sweetness, care and compassion they shared with us and James. And a special thank you also to the staff at Hospice of East Texas. If desired, memorials may be made to the Hospice of East Texas Foundation, 4111 University Blvd. Tyler, 75701 or a charity of your choice.

James G. Barton

January 20, 1933 - February 8, 2014