Martin "Marty" Fox Barton

Martin (Marty) Fox Barton, 66, of Turkeytown, entered his heavenly home on Friday, January 6, 2023. Marty passed away surrounded by his loved ones after a brief battle with cancer. A Celebration of Life & Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, January 14, 2023, at 11:00 am, at Turkeytown United Methodist Church (2077 Church Rd, Gad., AL 35901). The family will receive friends from 10:00 am until the time of service. Rev. Matthew Johnson and Rev. Jeffery Sauls will officiate.

Marty was a believer and follower of Jesus Christ and member of Turkeytown United Methodist Church. In 1994, he accepted God’s free gift of salvation during a community revival service in Hokes Bluff. He was born on March 8, 1956, in Akron, Ohio. In 1968, his family moved to Turkeytown, Alabama, due to his father’s promotion within the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. Marty told many memorable stories of his youth about his dog, Bosco and hiking Shinbone Ridge. He graduated from Gaston High School in 1974 before attending Gadsden State Community College.Many people have fond memories of Marty throughout his working career at B&C Tire Company, WEAC TV24, and most recently James E. Watts & Sons Contractors. Through the years he enjoyed spending time in nature searching for arrowheads, hunting and fishing, digging holes on the farm with heavy machinery, cooking and eating, and rocking out to oldies music.

He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, friend, and a proud patriot. Marty’s love for his family was evident through time spent together on Turkeytown Creek, sharing stories and jokes, and living by the motto, “Life is too short to be too serious”. Marty was preceded in death by his father, Marion Winston Barton; mother, Mary DeEtta Fox Barton; father-in-law, Dr. David Schell; mother-in-law, Zela Schell; and his brother-in-law, Kenneth Holcomb.

He is survived by his loving wife of 18 years, Kymn Barton; children, Michael (Natalie) Barton, Matthew (Morgan) Barton, Kristin (Logan) Holmes; step-children, Pamella (Adam) Vann, Amy (Andy) Allen, John (Stephanie) Spurlock; grandchildren, Sheppard and Faith Barton, Judson and Jeremiah Barton, Addison and Connor Vann, Avery and Ava Allen, Dane, Dakota, and Joanna Spurlock; siblings, Marilyn (Ray) Fluharty, Marv (Tom Oprandi) Barton, Sandy (Jerry) Bessemer, Marlene Holcomb; and a great host of nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers and in memory of Marty, donations can be made to the Etowah County Youth Livestock Association (6166 Tidmore Bend Rd, Gad., AL 35901), Turkeytown United Methodist Missions Fund (350 Hilltop Blvd., Gad., AL 35901), or the Coates Bend Volunteer Fire Dept(2130 Church Rd., Gad., AL 35901).

Special thanks to: GRMC Dr. Sandra Carpenter, MICU Nurse Taylor Robinson, and Amedisys Hospice Care.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.collier-butler.com for the Barton family.