Franklin D. Barton

Franklin D. (Frank) Barton, 76, of Wytheville, Va., departed this life on Saturday, October 11, 2008. He passed away at the University of Virginia Medical Center. Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Margaret A. Barton; son, James F. Barton "Oskie" and wife, Vonda, of Wytheville, Va. ; son, Edward R. Barton "Eddie" and wife, Jenny, of Mechanicsville, Va.; daughter, Deborah A. Moore "Debbi" and husband, Donald, of Chesterfield, Va.; grandchildren, Andrew Barton "Drew" and wife, Heather, and Taylor Barton, of Mechanicsville, Va., Jeremy and Grayson Moore, of Chesterfield, Va.; stepgreat-grandchildren, Jonathan Barton, Jenna Barton and Jeremy Barton, all of Wytheville, Va. Frank was born in Council, Va. and, shortly thereafter, moved to Coalwood, West Virginia and attended Big Creek High School where he was bestowed several awards in football, one being selected as a member of the South Squad for the 1951 Annual North-South Football Game. Frank then went on to play football one year for the Mountaineers of West Virginia University. Frank joined the United States Air Force in 1952 and was stationed in Germany during the Korean Conflict, returned to the states in 1956 where he met his bride-to-be, married and entered the Virginia State Police Training School. Upon graduating the training school, he was assigned Dinwiddie County Virginia. He was then transferred to Tazewell County in 1957 where he remained a Trooper until 1969 when he was transferred to the Governor's Division of Highway Safety. Frank retired as a Supervisor of the Division of Highway Safety Field Coordinators in 1986. Frank was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church, Wytheville, and took pride in his beliefs. He was a strong family man and very patriotic. Frank was loved by all and will be truly missed by many. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, October 14, 2008, at 2 p.m. at the St. Paul United Methodist Church with the Reverend Tom Ballard officiating. Interment will follow in St. John's Lutheran Cemetery. American Legion Post # 9 will conduct graveside Military Rites. Frank will be taken to St. Paul UMC where the family will receive friends Tuesday from 12:30 p.m. until service time. Barnett Funeral Home, Wytheville, Va. is in charge of the arrangements.