John W. Barton

John Walton Barton Sr. passed away Saturday, March 3, 2012, at his home, Beech Grove Plantation, in Wilson surrounded by his family and friends. He was a true Southern gentleman and a Christian, who loved his family, friends, community and the great outdoors. He was born Jan. 1, 1917, on a Little Texas Plantation in Napoleonville, son of Percy Beasley Barton and Grace Walton Barton. He is survived by his children, Mary Scott Barton, Annette Duchein Barton and friend Malcolm L. Tucker; and John Walton Barton Jr. and wife Margaret Perez Barton. He is also survived by his brother, Harry V. Barton; grandchildren, Frances Annette Hutchison, Catherine Barton Van Arnem and husband H.L. Van Arnem, of New York City, Natalie Barton Perkin and husband Nicolas Perkin, of New Orleans and John Walton Barton III and wife Kathryn Taylor Barton, of New Orleans; great-grandchildren Amelie Scott Perkin and Palmer Agnes Perkin; and other loving family members including Carlos K. Hurst. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Scott Duchein Barton; his sister, Edith Barton Matthies; and his grandson, Joseph Thomas "Jody" Howell IV. He enjoyed his years of involvement with the Baton Rouge Area Foundation, the Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, the National Wild Turkey Federation, the Burden Foundation and the Lottie Wildlife Association. The family wishes to thank Cliff Gallent and Dr. Curtis Chastain for their years of excellent care as well as the doctors, nurses and staff of Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center for medical services during Mr. Barton's lifetime. The family would also like to thank Mr. Barton's best friend, Jesse L. "Chunky" Sambo, who consulted with him on a daily basis. They also thank his assistants Sonya Lively and Valerie Webre, who managed his life at the office. A special thank you goes to Linda Jane LeBlanc Thompson for being a guardian angel. Mr. Barton also was grateful for the long years of service Jean Griffin, Veltra Spann, Donald Ray Johnson and Lee Arthur Gray provided. Visitation will be held in the sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church, 763 North Boulevard, on Friday, March 9, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and on Saturday, March 10, from 11 a.m. until memorial services at 1 p.m. A private family burial at Roselawn Cemetery will follow. In lieu of flowers, the family would be grateful for contributions to the Baton Rouge Area Foundation, 402 North 4th Street, Baton Rouge, La. 70802, the Pennington Biomedical Research Foundation, 6400 Perkins Road, Baton Rouge, La. 70808, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, 4950 Essen Lane, Baton Rouge, La. 70809, Istrouma Area Council of the Boy Scouts of American, 9644 Brookline Ave., Baton Rouge, La. 70809, or the charity of one's choice.