Posted by xxxxxxx on November 13, 2003:

R.O. Barton Jr. AUGUSTA, Ga.- Mr. R.O. Barton, Jr., beloved husband of Annette Berry Barton, passed away at his home on Monday, November 10, 2003 at the age of 76. Additional survivors include three sons, Rocky Barton and his wife, Jane, Hank, and John Barton; a daughter, Cathy Barton Clarke; two step-children, Neil Berry and his wife, Beth, all of Augusta, and Kathy Berry, of Savannah; six grandchildren, T.J. and his wife, Christy, of Reedsport, OR, Raymond, Kristen, Ben, and Mattie Barton and Daniel Clark, all of Augusta. R.O. was born on March 8, 1927, in Omaha, Nebraska. He was the son of the late Major General Raymond O. Barton and Claire Barton. He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1948 and served as a fighter pilot in the United States Air Force until 1958. His military career included flying 100 missions in the Korean War, where he was credited with destroying three Migs and damaging seven while flying the F-86. He participated in the first non-stop fighter flights across the Pacific and Central Atlantic Oceans, pioneering the development of inflight fueling. He taught the first graduating class at the Air Force Academy. His military decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Air Force Commendation Medal. Upon resigning from the Air Force in 1958, R.O. moved to Augusta, Ga., where he resided until his death. In 1969, he became the owner and president of Claussen Concrete Company, which he built into the largest, most successful concrete producer in the region. His other activities included director of Homebuilders Association of the CSRA, director of the Carolinas Ready-Mixed Concrete Association, member and past president of the Augusta Country Club, member and past president of the Augusta Golf Association. He also served as director of the Greater Augusta Chamber of Commerce and the Augusta Exchange Club, and as chairman of the Richmond County Human Relations Committee. He served on the executive board of the Georgia-Carolina Council of the Boy Scouts of America and was the past president from 1972-1973. R.O. also participated in numerous other civic and professional organizations. A graveside service will be held with military honors at Westover Memorial Park on Wednesday, November 12, 2003 at 11 a.m. with the Reverend Dr. Richard E. Sanders officiating. Honorary pallbearers include members of the Augusta Golf Association and are requested to assemble at the gravesite. If so desired, memorial contributions may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Foundation, 2625 Cumberland Parkway, Suite 205, Atlanta, Ga. 30339. Sign the guestbook at AugustaChronicle.com Published in The Augusta Chronicle on 11/11/2003.

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