Aubrey J Barton (“Bart”) was born June 5, 1930 in Mobile Alabama, the son of A. J. Barton and Marie C. Barton (nee Brown). Following graduation from McGill Institute, Bart served in the U.S. Army and later in the Army National Guard Reserves. On February 2, 1954 Bart married his soul mate, Frances Elizabeth (“Betty”) Sánchez at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Chickasaw Alabama. By the end of that year they would welcome a bundle of joy they would name Katherine (“Kate”). A couple years later, John joined the family. Sadly, in 1962, Bart and Betty would suffer the loss of preemie twin boys, James and John. Kevin was born a couple years later.
In 1966 Bart and Betty would relocate their family to Largo Florida when Brookley Air Force Base shut down. Keith and Jeryl Lynn were born in Florida.
In Florida, Bart worked for DCAS, first at Honeywell and later at Smith Industries.
Bart was the consummate handyman and it seemed as though there was nothing he couldn’t repair or fix. The family cars never saw a repair shop or mechanic; rarely did a repairman have to show up for a service call at the Barton home. If he didn’t know how to do something, he would take a course or buy a manual. Electronics, automotive, electrical, or plumbing, nothing seemed beyond his abilities.
Bart and Betty were members of St. Patrick Catholic Church and Bart was a past member of the Knights of Columbus Council 4892.
With the arrival of the first grandchild, Bart gained a new moniker, likely the one in which he took the most pride: “Poppy”. From the moment Rose Marie gave him that name, he was referred to as Poppy by all the children and grandchildren alike.
Following retirement Poppy enjoyed working on his computer and tracing the family tree (pre Ancestry.com days). He also continued a favorite pastime of completing crossword puzzles and he and Mimi spent hours working on jigsaw puzzles. In 2013 Poppy and Mimi moved to Royal Palms; in 2016, a final move was made to Cypress Palms Assisted Living. Poppy lost his loving and devoted soulmate of 65 years when Mimi transitioned on February 24, 2019.
On June 13, 2019 Poppy made his transition from this life and he and Mimi were reunited in heaven where they will enjoy each other’s company forever.
Bart is predeceased by his parents A. J. and Marie; loving and devoted wife of 65 years, Betty; his siblings Mary (Edlund), Rose (Williams), and brother Tom; twin sons James and John, and son Kevin. Bart is survived by a sister, Cecelia Howard, Mobile, Alabama; children, Katherine (Kate) of Goodlettsville, Tennessee, John of Largo, and Keith (Debbie), and Jeryl Lynn of Clearwater; Grandchildren, Rose Marie (Danielle) of Roy, WA, Kaley (Jeremy) of Gulfport, MS, Andrew (Heather) of Kissimmee, FL, Michael of Cookeville, TN, Tyler of Clearwater, FL, and Zachary of Clearwater, FL.
