Charles Barton

Charles "Charley" Barton, age 72, of West, passed away Monday evening, October 1, 2007 at his residence. Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Friday at Bellmead Calvary Baptist Church, with the Rev. James Adams and Rev. James Berger officiating. Military Graveside Rites will follow at Bold Springs Cemetery near West, conducted by V.F.W. Post 4819 of West. The family will receive visitors from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home. Mr. Barton was born on January 11, 1935 in Denton, the son of Spurgeon and Elsie Melzora (Meador) Barton. He attended school in the Denton area. In serving his country he joined the United States Navy and served on the USS Dashiell Ship. He married the former Ann Nix in West. He currently owned and operated the West Cycle Shop and has been in business for over forty years. He also worked in sales for Kraft Food, Genecov Institutional Foods and Waco Welders, later becoming Airgas. In his younger years, Charles ran the Mustang Drag Strip for several years. He was known to be an avid fan of the Heart of Texas races every Friday evening. Charles loved life and was a very giving person. He enjoyed cooking and bringing food to many of his customers and friends. Charles loved his church and was a member of Bellmead Calvary Baptist Church where he was a leader of the Discipleship Training Program. He also was a member of Kingdom Seekers and ministered to the youth at the Texas Juvenile Facility in Mart. He will truly be missed by all who knew him. He is preceded in death by one son, Joe Charles Barton; one daughter, Donna Diane Hardy; and one step-son, T. J. Bradbury. Survivors include his beloved wife, Ann Barton of West; one daughter, Debra Spadaro and her husband Mike of Garland; one step-son, Steve Bradbury and his wife Gayla of West; two step-daughters, Karen Bradbury Worley and her husband Benny of Aquilla and Jana Bradbury Anderson and Danny Coleman of Elm Mott; one brother, Billy Barton and his wife Trish of Murray, Kentucky; four grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts, other relatives, and friends. Active pallbearers will be Bill Nix, Galen Day, Dan Wright, Angel Benkendorfer, John Harness and Rich Maler. Honorary pallbearers will be Brad Gilbert, Steve Bradbury, Mike Spadaro, Benny Worley and Danny Coleman. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Bellmead Calvary Baptist Church Family Life and Worship Center.