http://www.bunkerfuneral.com/
Richard Gilbert Barton, Jr.
05/22/1952 - 02/09/2018
Service Date: 02/16/2018
Service Time: 10:00 AM
Service Location: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Freestone Park Ward, 230 N. Val Vista Drive, Gilbert, AZ 85234
Richard Gilbert Barton Jr., 65, passed away February 9, 2018 at his winter home in Gilbert, AZ.
Rick and the love of his life Kathleen Barton married in Salt Lake City, UT on June 10, 1972 and were later sealed in the Salt Lake Temple. He leaves behind 5 children: Dr. Brandon, Tyler (Rochelle), Megan, Josh (Dianna) and Camille Hugill (Thomas) as well as 11 grandchildren who he enjoyed more than anything in his life. His selfless dedication to supporting his posterity both financially and spiritually was fathomless as he split time between his family in both Arizona and San Diego.
Rick was most happy working on his many home improvement projects having built his family’s Salt Lake City home himself and continued later in life designing innovative creations to improve the life of his friends and family. We will all miss learning from the Master RGB.
Born May 22, 1952 in Salt Lake City, UT to Richard Gilbert Barton Sr. and Marjorie Yvonne Barton. Preceded in death by his brother James (1951), Rick is survived by his 7 siblings: Diana Webb (Randy), Dave (Janice), Dr. Jeff (Debbie), Laurie Pinegar (Joseph), Holly Hurst (Bruce), Chris (Earlene), Becca Adams (Bob) as well as sister-in-law Joyce Muhlestein (Ray) and brother-in-law Dr. Gordon B. White.
A man of Rick’s influence and vitality is not often encountered. He continued his high school athletic successes as a team captain all-state football player at the University of Utah on the Utes football team. Rick’s work ethic was something to marvel at as he would later build his own business in 1979, successfully operating it for 19 years before selling it in 1997. His life’s journey would take him to the beaches of San Diego where he enjoyed many years with his family. He continued there professionally as a foregone expert in his industry, fittingly working right up to his very last day of life.
Rick mentored countless professional colleagues, silently supported innumerable friends and family emotionally and financially, engaged vividly with everyone in his path and left a memorable impression everywhere with his unique character.
Funeral services will be held Friday, February 16 at 10:00 am at the LDS Church Freestone Park Ward, 230 N Val Vista Drive, Gilbert AZ, 85234. Friends are welcome to attend a viewing Thursday, February 15 at Bunker Family Funeral Home, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ 85201 from 6-8 pm, and Friday at the church from 9:00 to 9:45 am prior to the services.
Interment will be at San Tan Memorial Gardens at Schnepf Farms following the morning service.
Merlin Taylor
We arrived in Hawai'i late in the day yesterday, only to learn my dear friend Rick Barton had passed away from a heart attack. The sorrow of losing someone so important in your life is offset by the joy I've known because of Richard Gilbert Barton. Rick and Kathy Barton are lifelong friends, people we are given to share this life, folks who made my life better. Thoughts and prayers dear Bartons, I love you all. Rick, we're all better because we knew you.Darwin Ross
I am very distressed to hear this. To me, RicK Barton was INVINCIBLE. What a presence he had, especially on the field. When the mighty have fallen, your weak little self is left to wonder, "Well then, what about me?"
Kerry Kastler (Burt)
I met Rick at Churchill Junior High From our first conversation and on through life watching him excell, I knew this was a man that would leave the world a little bit better than the way he found it - and indeed he did. My heart goes out to his family. There is a land of the living and a land of the dead and the bridge is love I know Ricks bridge is overcrowded with those trying to keep his spirit alive. Godspeed my friend k
Richard M Romney
So sorry to receive this sad news. Rick was always kind to me. He will be missed.
David Potter
So sorry to hear about Rick. He lived just a few blocks down the street from me as we grew up together. It is hard to believe we are all getting to that age when the body starts wearing out and we aren't as young and strong and invincible that we used to think we were. At least now Rick will be free of alot of pain that he has gone through in the past years. I guess we will all have to wait until our 100th year school reunion on the other side to renew our friendships. It will be interesting to see what name/face tags will will be wearing at that time :) We will miss you Rick ... our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
David R. Jackson
I am deeply saddened by this news. I had the good fortune of playing alongside Rick and witnessing first hand his leadership -- always a fierce competitor and encouraging each member of our defense toward excellence. I know he touched many lives -- he certainly influenced me for the better. For that I will always be grateful. God bless his family at this difficult time -- my thoughts and prayers are with you. I look forward to seeing him again in the next life.
Victor Checketts
was saddened to hear of the passing of rick..i was happy to know him with my work as manager on the football team and at the university of utah..i knew that he would be a great player..my prayers are with his family at this sad time..god bless you..you are now playing football with the great players in heaven now
Steven Kaelin
In my teenage years Rick was a person larger than life. A kind of super hero with super strength and endurance but also a kind and friendly graciousness that was protective and empowering. At an assembly at Churchill Jr. High after Mark Brady had been silenced for saying something controversial in Student Council, at Rick's suggestion we both stood up and shouted, "We want Brady." This brazen act of defiance got us both an immediate ejection from the auditorium right to the principal's office. (My first ever.) Rick was calm and collected even wearing shoes that were in direct defiance of the strict dress code at that school. Looking back, I think the principal tried his best to be intimidating but sitting next to my larger than life, super hero friend, I felt no imminent danger at all.