Letters
Vera Ramey
Sent: Wednesday, November 30,2005 535 PM
Subject: Re. GARY BARTON
Vera,
I just returned this afternoon from a 5 day trip. I remember talking
with Gary at the 50th reunion.
I also remember the day I almost killed him with a baseball bat during recess at the Otto School. We were playing field hockey (I think that's what it is called) with a soft ball on the ground and baseball sticks). I swung at the ball that was on the ground directly in front of me and unknown to me, Gary had snuck up behind me, then reaching with his bat from behind me to push the ball away so I would miss ............... well I did miss, the follow-through of my swing of the bat caught Gary square on the forehead as he was bent over, resulting in an instant large knot on his forehead and a bloody nose that wouldn't quit. It sure scared me too! I thought I had killed him! Then I was afraid his dad would be mad at me .......... but he understandably wasn't.
Sorry to hear of Gary's death, but I do appreciate your letting me know. I will not be able to come to his funeral, but if there is a time during the services for sharing personal experiences, please feel free to share the above experience from me.
Also, please let me know of the arrangements.
Appreciatively,
Lloyd Hanahan
Letter - Chad
Oxford Mayor Chad Bartelson
To the Family of Gary Barton,
Since the time I learned of Gary's passing I began thinking back. Thinking back to when I was in grade school or I suppose early Jr. High and first heard him. As we all know you never saw Gary first. I remember as a little kid asking someone "What was that?" as we sat in the lunchroom. All Iseem to remember were the older kids saying "Oh that's Barton", well my Freshman year I learned what a "Barton" was.
Entering the intro to metals class as a freshman was an experience that every student should of had to have. Mean ol loud shop teacher named Mr. Barton was there with his rules and behavior lessons that we all soon found out really didn't amount to much as long as you were respectful. He taught us to draw, measure, cut and all that, but it was more than that. Gary Barton was an institution all his own. The High School shop I'm sure has never been the same and I know never will be. His gruff manner was all a show but as we all know he could turn zero to 60 real fast .... All you had to tell him....was a good JOKE. Laugh by gosh he'd laugh, and laugh, and laugh some more. Gary would laugh until his asthma would kick in and he'd choke and choke and turn red. You know to this really thought as he got older someone would tell him a good one and after he laughed ...... he'd choke to death from lack of air.
You know as I continued through High school Gary and I connected as he did with others I'm sure. I began to know him as the Welding teacher, that couldn't hardly weld a lick. The small engine teacher, that cussed small engines for not running most the time. Of course he could teach because he had the knowledge but more importantly the respect of his students. There were always the funny stories though. The story he used to tell about I believe must have been a military supply clerk or something named BASTARD. Gary would say how he'd called this man's office for the first time ask for Mr. BUH- Stard or whatever trying to be polite not knowing if the man's name was really - BASTARD. Well anyway Gary said well the guy answered the phone and I got my answer real quick when he said "BASTARD SPEAKIN. And then of course. .... he laughed. Oh my his laugh how we'll all miss it, I bet he could bring a smile to almost anyone on any given day.
You know Gary was probably responsible for getting me involved with Lions Club. I'd help High School at Lions Club concession stands which Gary always was in charge of and got me involved moving convertibles to town before the parade, or setting out the little number signs along the curb. He probably thought I was helping him but as a 17 year old kid, Hell I just liked driving the dam cars. You know we'll have to find someone to line up the main parade but I bet I can hear Gary say from heaven “ask the old lady, she'll still hand out quarters to the kids".
Gary Barton will be hard to replace for a long time in the organizations he represented. Lions Club, Friendship Center, Church and many other places. The roads outside of town might get a little bumpy for awhile too. But I want his family to know that he is missed by me and many others and your Husband, Father, and Grandfather was one of the finest men this man has ever known and it has been my privilege to do so. God Bless Gary Barton and may his laugh and the smile that went with it last our hearts for many years to come.
Chad Bartelson
Oxford, Kanas