Posted by XXXXXX on May 4, 2008:

Raymond O. Barton, Jr. ’48 No. 16524 8 Mar 1927 – 10 Nov 2003 Died in Augusta, GA Interred in Westover Memorial Gardens, Augusta, GA If ever there was a guy who could nail Jell-O to a wall, it was Raymond Oscar Barton, Jr. His interests were varied, and he pursued them with enthusiasm. He was a student, soldier, airman, businessman, and civic leader, and in every category he excelled. “RO” was born into a military family in Omaha, NE. His dad was a distinguished officer who led his division during the liberation of Europe during WWII. RO attended elementary school at Ft. Benning; graduated from high school in Jacksonville, FL; and went to one year of college at the University of Oklahoma. He attended Millard’s Prep School in Washington, DC, and was appointed to USMA by Oklahoma’s Senator Moore, entering the Academy in 1944. His record as a cadet was a harbinger of things to come. He was a tough competitor as a squash player, played on the company football and lacrosse teams, and was a mid-fielder on the varsity lacrosse team, for which he earned a major A. He was a cadet captain and regimental adjutant his First Class year. RO honed his natural leadership skills as a cadet and embraced the ethics and high standards taught at the Academy. Although he loved USMA and had the greatest respect for his father and the Army, he decided upon graduation to become a pilot in the newly independent Air Force. RO spent ten years in the Air Force. He won his wings and, to his great chagrin, was assigned to a troop carrier outfit. He wanted to fly fighters, so he managed to get transferred to a fighter unit, loved it, and was exceptionally good at it. He participated in the first fighter flights across both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and was involved in the development of in-flight refueling. He flew 100 F-86 missions in Korea and was credited with shooting down three MIGs and damaging seven. This was the prelude to assignment to the commandant’s staff at the newly created Air Force Academy. He played an integral part in developing the concepts for training cadets and the rules, regulations, and facilities to implement them. He was hand picked by the first commandant to be an Air Officer Commanding for one of the four squadrons of cadets in the inaugural class to enter the academy in 1955. His personality and leadership had a significant and lasting impact on these young men. He was tough, fair, and never compromised the standards and principles he taught. He won their respect, admiration, and loyalty. They contacted him for advice and guidance throughout his life. He decided to resign his commission but would not do this while still assigned to the academy. He took an assignment with a fighter squadron in Europe, tendered his resignation, and left the service. His decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross, two Air Medals, the Air Force Commendation Medal, and various service and unit awards. RO was the finest officer I ever knew. The Air Force lost a potential chief of staff, but the business world gained an eventual chief executive. He returned to Augusta, GA, and went to work as executive vice president of Claussen-Lawrence Construction Company. He remained in this position until 1968, when he became president and chairman of the board of Claussen Concrete Company. He demonstrated the same capabilities in business that he had in his military career. Through his guidance and leadership, the business flourished. He elicited the same loyalty and respect from his employees as he had from those who had been under his command in the military service. It was during this period that he met and won Annette’s heart. Nettie became his beloved wife and was the joy of his life for his last two decades. It was also during this period that two of his sons, Rocky and Hank, were in the business with him. His other son, John, and his daughter Cathy were also in Augusta, so the entire family was in one location during his last years. RO eventually sold the business and was a consultant to the purchasers for a number of years. He never stopped flying. He purchased a twin engine plane and flew it for business and pleasure. His TWA (teeny-weeney airline) was alive and well. In addition to running a business, he also was very active in civic affairs and sports activities. He was a member and past president of the Augusta Country Club and the Augusta Golf Association. He was a past president of the Georgia-Carolina Council, Boy Scouts of America. He was a past director of the Greater Augusta Chamber of Commerce and the Exchange Club of Augusta. He was a past Chairman of the Richmond County Human Relations Committee, the Richmond County Heart Association, and the Richmond County Heart Fund. He was a member of the Richmond County Government Study Committee, Management Committee of Forest Hills Golf Club, and the Augusta College Foundation. But he could never be accused of being all work and no play. He was an avid golfer, loved to hunt and fish, traveled extensively, and probably paid for it all with his winnings at gin rummy and barracuda. He was a fierce competitor and relished the challenges of competition. Win, lose, or draw, he was a gentleman. RO was a success at whatever he did and connected with people at all levels. His honesty, integrity, enthusiasm, and common sense generated trust, devotion, and loyalty. His unwavering friendship was something to be treasured. Regardless of how long ago you had last seen him, it seemed that no time had passed when you were with him again. He was a joy to be around, and he will be sorely missed. Henry Warren, Class of ’45

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