Bob Barton

Robert Edward (Bob) Barton Sr. Age 96 died May 9, 2014 in Colby, Kansas. Bob was born on July 29, 1917 to James Franklin and Lena (Blau) Barton in Russell Springs, KS. He attended school until 8th grade in Russell Springs, Kansas then going to work on the family farm and a local ranch. On October 13, 1941, he married Pansy Pearl Brooks. Bob joined the United States Army in 1942 and served with the United States Army, 9th Company, 102nd Ozark Division. Bob was stationed in Germany during WWII and his tour of duty included fighting in the front lines in the Battle of the Bulge and servicing the Mag 24 vehicle that General Dwight D. Eisenhower used for transportation. Bob and Pansy made their home in Russell Springs, Kansas until 1952 before moving to Salina to work for the Salina Tractor Company. They moved to Colby in 1954. Bob went to work for Sellers Tractor Company later Dougherty Implement and then Gunnel’s Tractor Company and then Dechert Implement until his retirement in 1979. He spent much of his retirement in the shop at the farm working as a mechanic and helping at harvest time. Throughout his retirement Bob enjoyed having coffee with his host of friends at Deep Rock Café and Casey’s. Bob and Pansy had 13 children to their union. Bob is survived by his wife, Pansy of the home, children, Lena (Carl) Peters, Barb Nichols, Gary, Jerry (Peggy), Rhonda Barton, Brian (Johnnie), Jeff (Melanie) all of Colby, Ed of Kansas City, Rick of Montevello, AL, Pat (Gary) Griffin of Greeley, CO, Connie (Dan) Schmidt of Hays, Randy (Shelley) of Atwood, Debbie (Allen) Brown of GIlbert, AZ. Fifty-one Grandchildren and a host of great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, his 3 bothers and 2 sisters, 2 grandchildren , and a great grandchild. Bob touched the lives of all who knew him. He loved to fish, spend time with his family, and put more puzzles together than could ever be counted. He was a huge fan of Oliver tractors. Bob was a skilled mechanic and learned in WWII to fix any vehicle with bailing wire. Bob shared his auto mechanical skills with many. He loved to make others smile with his quick wit and his dry sense of humor. The highlight of every year for Bob was the annual Barton Family Christmas where he passed out all the gifts every year and taking his grandchildren and great-grandchildren to the VFW Christmas Celebration. Bob did not travel out of Colby much later in life but did enjoy taking the Honor Flight to Washington DC in 2011. He will be forever loved and missed by his family and friends. The memorial service will be held on Monday, May 12, 2014 at 2:00PM at Kersenbrock Funeral Chapel. Memorials in his name may be left to the Kansas Honor Flight Network.