John Stanley Barton, 89, of St Simons Island, departed this life Wednesday, July 21, 2021 at Hospice of the Golden Isles. A memorial service will be held August 18, 2021 at 11:00 AM at St Simons United Methodist Church with Rev. Marcia Cochran and Rev. Jack Sawyer Officiating. A reception in the church’s Thorpe Building will follow the service. A private interment will be held in Oglethorpe Memorial Gardens with family in attendance.
John was born March 24, 1932 in Birmingham, Alabama to the late James Bascom and Jeannette Pauline S. Barton. After holding various positions with his company, he retired as Corporate Secretary of Thiele Kaolin Company in Sandersville, GA in 1997. John graduated from Auburn University in 1955 where he participated in track and field and cross country running. The Auburn teams won their first SEC Championships in 1954 and 1955 with John winning the individual SEC Championships in Cross Country, one and two mile races. Mr. Barton was a Veteran of the US Air Force, US Army and Alabama National Guard. After discharge from the Air Force, John managed the Auburn-Opelika airport. In this capacity he provided flight instruction for ROTC cadets before moving to Sandersville, GA. He had been a resident of St. Simons Island for over 25 years and was a member of St Simons United Methodist Church where he served as an usher for many years and was also a member of the Beacon Sunday School Class. John loved spending time with his family and friends. The grandchildren especially enjoyed the fishing lessons and Papa John’s fish frys. He enjoyed running, fishing, hiking, travelling, working in his yard along with carpentry and woodworking. Many hours were spent introducing his children and grandchildren to the beauty of nature and teaching them skills so they themselves could share his enthusiasm for life. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a sister, Laura B. French.
Survivors include his wife of 27 years, Carole Barton of St. Simons Island,GA, children, Lora Barbara Lemmon and husband Brett and Elizabeth Congo and husband Paul all of Gulfport, FL, Michael Peters and wife Leslie of Peoria, AZ, Lynn Woodruff and husband Brent of Atlanta, GA, Linda Hertog of Snellville, GA, Lesley Tighe and husband Don of Birmingham, AL and Laura Sipe and husband Richie of St. Simons Island, GA, 18 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, and a niece, Alex Moore and husband John of Kennesaw, GA.
The family would like to express appreciation to those who gave gracious and kind assistance to John. His stays at Addington Place and Hospice of the Golden Isles were eased by the quality of concern offered by caring staff. A special thank you must be given to the WeCare nurses who helped John at home – Carla Burns and Stormy Jenkins. They became special friends.
Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Simons United Methodist Church or Hospice of the Golden Isles.
Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home and Oglethorpe Memorial Gardens are entrusted with arrangements. www.edomillerandsons.com
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