Sermon
Gary Barton
Service of Death and Resurrection
December 3, 2005 10:OO a.m.
Oxford UMC
Good Morning Dawgface
“The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil." Matt. 12:35
If there is one thing that I’ve learned about Gary over the last few days it is that he was a "good man". Never In all the years that I have been in ministry have I known a man who left an indelible mark on the lives of young people that carried into their adult life.
Whether you knew Gary as the "mean ol loud shop teacher* or by his insatiable laugh, you had the privilege of knowing someone who was truly a "good man".
Christ taught us in the scripture that we would be known by our fruit. The result of our labor here on earth is not just physical but spiritual as well. As I have talked with his family and friends, it is apparent a mark wherever he went.
One thing I have learned from his family Is that today Is not about weeping and mourning, it is about celebration of a life well lived. It is an acknowledgement that Gary Barton lived, laughed and loved. He loved his family, his students, his community and Gary loved God.
His devotion to his family was impressive. He was really enjoying having Drew and Brent so close and being able to be a part of their life. A few times when I was looking for Alta and Dana I called their home and Gary laughed and said, “I can’t keep up with those two, my job is knowing where the boys are." It was a job he loved and one he never regretted.
Mornings are going to be different at the Barton household. While Diamond grew to expect that gruff, Good morning Dawgface, and the smell of breakfast as Gary and Drew enjoyed their early morning time, it is yet another gift that Gary has given his family. The joy of knowing that he loved them, even down to Diamond, the great Dane with the heart of a Chihuahua.
The couch will seem empty in that one comer where Gary had the perfect vantage point to the TV and the Carmen ghia may not get completed but Gary did not leave an unfinished life.
Gary lived his life to the fullest and when on Tuesday afternoon God called him home so suddenly, we didn’t have to worry whether or not he was prepared for the journey. It was a journey he spent his life being ready for.
In case you are thinking that I haven't heard the stories of the "Onery” side of Gary, well you are wrong, it is part of what made him Gary. There are probably more stories than we could even remember but one was shared by Dana about when he and his 3rd hour FFA class put a skunk on the manifold of a classmates 38 Chevy Coup. The young man's drive to lunch was far more than he had anticipated.
Gary was a man of laughter, evidently a laugh that could be heard long before you saw him and one that spoke of a love for life. Chad, I want to thank you for your memories of Gary, one of which was that he would laugh until his asthma kicked in and he ended up gasping and red in the face. That wasn't going to keep him from a good laugh.
His respect for others and his willingness to work for the community is obvious in all that he did here in Oxford and the work he did with Lions Club.
The true measure of a man is often seen in the eyes of his son. Well, Gary definitely measures up as a good man when seen in the eyes of his son David. Being the child who lives far away he often saw a different side of Gary but it was one that supported him, showed interest in his life and work. While Gary was proud of David's work in photojournalism, it was his teaching that made Gary's eyes sparkle with delight.
David and Gary shared the experiences of the farm that were unique to their relationship. Even if it did mean driving a tractor the day after having your wisdom teeth taken out!
I want to share a simple reflection that David wrote that says it all: "Growing up we always had a group of students around the house helping on the farm or just shooting the breeze. They always came back to see Mr. Barton. That was his crowning achievement, not that he moved mountains but that he moved minds." This has proved out over this week as students from all over the country have called, others have stopped by the house and many are here this morning.
The streets of heaven are peeling with laughter this morning. A new guy has come home and he is really something. I'm not sure if there are any VW’s in heaven but I’ll just bet that Gary finds something to tinker with and a reason to laugh in his eternal home.
When Gary's class had their 50'" reunion he wrote an article for class book. In closing I want to share his words, it is rare that you have a person's own thoughts to consider but Gary knew his life, and so I want to allow him to share them with you one last time ...
"Wow, what a ride." Seemed like a short ride, but like so many others lives, mine was filled full of joys, surprises, sorrows and disappointments. The sorrow and disappointments, I try to forget and dwell only on the brighter side. Deeply embedded in this brighter side are the two children that have come to our lives. David, our first-born is living in PIttsburg, PA. He is teaching in the Pittsburg Art Institute and as far as I can tell, loves every minute of the job. ... Dana, our daughter, lives In our hometown of Oxford, KS with her two boys, Brent and Drew. They manage to keep Ninny and Papa busy and feeling young ..”
Gary will be deeply missed from his "Good morning Dawgface" to the many acts of kindness he shared In the community, God has richly blessed us to have know a truly good man and may God welcome him with love and laughter Into his heavenly home.
God Bless You
“Pastor Trica”