The Life of Charles Alvin Barton Sr.
View Memorial Tribute Funeral services will be held on Monday, May 19, 2008 at a 10:30 AM service in Asbury United Methodist Church, 101 Live Oak Blvd., Lafayette, La for Charles Alvin Barton, Sr., loving and beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, independent oilman, geologist, businessman, banker, lobbyist, community leader, patriarch, mentor, and Christian, who died peacefully on Friday, May 16, 2008 at his home, under the loving care of his family. He was 81 years of age.Charlie Barton was born in Alexandria, La. on April 28, during the great flood of 1927.
He spent his youth growing up in rural Winn Parish in North Louisiana. He served his country in the United States Navy at the end of WWII. After deactivation he was working as a surveyor in Southern Illinois when he met his life's love, Genevieve Ladonne Edmonson They married June 29, 1951 in Centralia, IL. In May Of 1954 he graduated from LSU with a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology. He then began working as a geologist for Placid Oil Company and then later Grigsby-McCord Oil Company in Shreveport, LA.
In 1961 he moved his family to Lafayette to head up the South Louisiana office of Lyon's Petroleum. In 1972 he formed his own company, Barton Oil & Gas, solidifying his career as a successful Independent Oil Man. He remained there until his retirement in 1998. Charlie was often called upon as a spokesman by the media for the Louisiana Oil & Gas Industry during the turbulent years of the 70s & 80s.
In 1982 he was a co-founder and board of director member of Southwest National Bank.Charlie was also involved in numerous civic and professional organizations, and worked closely with the Evangeline Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America where he served as president for 2 years. In 1984 he was an honored recipient of the Boy Scouts' highest volunteer award, the Silver Beaver. He also served on the board of directors of many organizations including Asbury United Methodist Church, the Broadmoor Civic Association, the Lafayette Petroleum Club, the Louisiana Association of Independent Producers and Royalty Owners (LAIPRO), and the Society of Independent Professional Earth Scientists (SIPES).
He was also an honorary life member of the Lafayette Geological Society. Charlie became active in Louisiana Republican Politics in the 1960's when the number of registered Republicans in the state numbered around 900. He remained extremely active in the Louisiana Republican Party and his diligent work helped many Republican candidates get elected in the 70's and 80's helping set the stage for the viable Louisiana Republican Party that we have today.
In 1980 he was a delegate to the Republican National Convention.Charlie is survived by his wife of 57 years, Genevieve Ladonne Barton, his children, Tom Barton and wife, Linda, of Arlington, TX; Charles A. Barton, Jr. and his wife, Sue, of Lafayette; Laura Shepard and her husband, Dan, of Richmond, Massachusetts; and Mark Barton and his wife, Mona, of Lafayette.
He is also survived by 2 nieces, Martha Babin and Dana Roberts He was preceded in death by a son, John Ira Barton, a daughter - in - law, Debbi Barton, his parents, Charlie and Gertrude Barton, his sister, Ossie Roberts, and his brother, Virgil Barton. He had 16 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.Pall Bearers will be Thomas Barton, Charles Barton, Jr., Mark Barton, Trey Barton, Daniel Shepard, and Jack Shepard. Honorary pallbearers will be Sam Porter, Dwight "Bo" Ramsey, Jack Naumann, and Larry Donohoe.
The family requests that visitation be observed on Sunday from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM and on Monday from 8:00 AM until time of services at Martin & Castille Funeral Home in Lafayette. Memorial Contributions Charlie's memory may be made to Hospice of Acadiana, 2600 Johnston St. #200, Lafayette, LA, 70503 or to the Evangeline Area Council, Boy Scouts of America, P.O. Box 80115, Lafayette, LA 70598.View the obituary and guestbook online at www.mourning.comMartin & Castille - Lafayette, 337-234-2311
