Michael Andrew Barton

Michael Andrew Barton

May 3, 1939 - Nov. 21, 2023

Michael Andrew Barton passed away in the early morning hours of November 21, 2023, at the age of 84, after a brief but determined battle with stomach cancer.

Mike was born in Lincoln, NE, to Byron and Evie Barton, the oldest of two sons. He grew up in Charleston, IL, and graduated from Charleston High School. He attended the University of Michigan, obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry and, after a hiatus to serve in the US Army, a master's degree in Forest Hydrology.

While in graduate school, he met his life love and partner, Sharon Louise Daniels. They were married in November, 1964, in her hometown of Pontiac, MI. Their first family home was a log cabin on the shores of Shagawa Lake in Ely, MN. Mike and Sharon's had two children, Valerie and Craig, both born in Ely. When Mike's work took them away from Ely, they kept the cabin, and continued to enjoy many summers there. Sharon would pack up the kids the day after school got out and plan the return to maximize days at the lake. Mike came when he could and stayed as long as possible. The cabin remains a treasured place for summer family get togethers.

Mike had a long, impactful career with the United State Forest Service, beginning in 1959 as a research technician. His work took the family from Minnesota, to Michigan, back to Minnesota, to Wisconsin, back to Michigan, to Washington DC, and ultimately Alaska in 1979. The stay in Alaska was supposed to be a short one like the rest, but Mike was proud to still call Juneau home 44 years later. Mike initially served as Deputy Regional Forester for the Alaska Region. He assumed the role of Regional Forester in 1984, and retired from the Forest Service in 1994. During his Forest Service career, Mike received many awards for natural resource management. He was the Team Leader on the National Fisheries Task Force and active in the restoration of Prince William Sound following the Exxon-Valdez oil spill. He represented the Secretary of Agriculture on the Federal Subsistence Board and Oil Spill Trustee Council.

After retiring from the Forest Service, Mike served as Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Transportation two separate times under Governors Hickel and Murkowski. He was pleased to continue his work in public service after retirement from the federal government.

Mike was active in the Society of American Foresters, the Soil and Water Conservation Society of America, the American Forestry Association, the American Fisheries Society, the National Woodland Owners Association, and Ducks Unlimited. He served on the Board of Trustees for the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority for five years, three years as Chair. He was an active community volunteer as a member of the Juneau Rotary Club and as a board member for the Juneau Airport and Gastineau Channel Little League. He co-chaired the Golden North Salmon Derby for five years and the Laps for Little League fundraiser for several years. For decades, he has sponsored a Little League baseball team each year, the Smokey Bears.

Mike loved his family, his work, his community, his dogs, hiking in the woods, the sound of spring breakup on Shagawa, chocolate cake in a glass of milk, a long drive down a road going nowhere, a good thunderstorm, a salty bowl of popcorn. One of his great joys was watching his granddaughters, Haley and Sarah, grow up. He rarely missed a performance, recital, soccer game or swim meet. He was their biggest cheerleader and they, his.

Mike was predeceased by his parents, Byron and Evie. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Sharon; his children: Valerie (Max) Mertz and Craig Barton; his brother, Randall (Ann) Barton; and his granddaughters: Haley and Sarah Mertz; along with many cousins, nieces, nephews, and countless old and new friends.

Mike was a man of few words and deep emotion. He left those he met along the way better than how he found them. He will be greatly missed.

A celebration of life will be held in Juneau at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to Gastineau Channel Little League or the American Cancer Society.

The family can be reached at PO Box 240070, Douglas, AK, 99824.