The North Georgia News

Blairsville, GA  30512

www.nganews.com

(no corrections have been made; this is exactly as it appeared in paper)

December 13, 2006                    Page 5C

ronald wayne barton

Mr. Ronald Wayne Barton, age 75, of Hiawassee, GA, passed away peacefully in his sleep after a long courageous bout with cancer, Tuesday, December 5, 2006 at his home in Hiawassee.

Mr. Barton was born Sunday, October 4, 1931 in Bryson, TN to the late William Ish Barton and the late Dixie Rogers Barton.  At seventeen, Ron enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and saw active duty during the Korean War.  He achieved the rank of Gunnery Sergeant while serving with the Amphibious Assault (Amtracs) Unit, 1st Division Marine Corps.

An electrician by trade, he worked for General Electric for many years before heeding the call of entrepreneurship and starting his own company.  He eventually would develop and own several successful businesses in Houston, TX before retiring in 1993.

After a brief stay in western Nevada, he relocated to the North Georgia Mountains in 1994.  Ron enjoyed the fellowship of the VFW, playing golf and traveling.  Most of all he relished what he referred to as “his peaceful existence,” in the mountains, where he could “just sit and watch the world go by.”

During his years in Hiawassee, GA, he was a member of the VFW Post 7807, the Marine Corps League, the American Legion, and the Chatuge Shores Golf course.  While living in Houston, he was an active member of the 1st Marine Division Association, the Masonic Lodge, and Shriners.

He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Barton of Hiawassee, GA; his daughters, Ronda Barton, Melinda Barton and Kelli Barton; grandchildren, Stacey and Kelsey Skibinski all who reside in Texas; step-children, Teresa and Jim Kelly, Greg Wasinger, and Brian and Kathy Wasinger; step-grandchildren, Jason and Matthew Callihan, Sarah and Robert Kelly, and Brishnee Wasinger.  He had three brothers and two sisters, William Harold Barton, Edward Barton, Charles Franklin Barton, Joan Louise Barton and Helen Barton.

Services were held Sunday, December 10, 2006 at the Chapel of Cochran Funeral Home.  The North Georgia Honor Guard provided Military honors.  Honorary pallbearers included Joan Aten, John Chambers, Howard Conley, Don Cooper, Stan Kordish, Fred Shuler, Howard Smrz, and Gary Wimsett.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations may be made to the Towns County EMS or Towns County Fire Department.

The Cochran Funeral Home of Hiawassee, GA is in charge of arrangements