Ronald Nelson Barton

N. Ronald Barton, 84, of Tazewell, Virginia, passed away peacefully July 12, 2025, at home in Lutz, Florida. Born on November 20, 1940, Ronald lived his life as the epitome of a Christian family man: a dedicated husband, cherished father, and beloved member of his community. Ron is survived by his wife of 67 years, Clarine Barton (married January, 1958) and by their six children: Debbie Barton, Donna Walters and husband Keith Walters, Ronald Barton, II, and wife Jennifer Barton, Larry Barton and wife Renee Barton, Kelli Gochenaur and husband Chris Gochenaur, and Shelli Barton and partner Joshua Knecht. Ronald is also survived by three brothers, eleven grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren, and many family members and friends in Florida and Virginia. Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Harlow and Madeline Barton, six siblings, and two granddaughters.
Born and raised in a humble dirt floor home in Cliffield, Tazewell County, Virginia, to traditional parents; a Pentecostal Reverend father and homesteading mother. Ron began working at the age of nine while still attending school-he didn't stop until heart surgery in his mid 70s. His earliest jobs included: assisting the local veterinarian with farm animals, the Tazewell Farm Bureau, as a golf caddy, and a delivery route driver in a Pepsi truck. He even hunted for meat and sold hides to help support his family.
Ron's family recalls a lifetime of incredible hard work, dedication, generosity, humor and benefaction. Ron worked his entire life to forge a legacy. Throughout the1960s starting as a teenager, Ron moved to Tampa, Florida with his wife and firstborn child. They began carving out a future for themselves in the concrete and masonry industries. Ron began by building duplex rentals in the growing areas around the University of South Florida, later moving to residential work in Lutz, Lake Padgett, Carrollwood, and Northdale. After the initial years of hard work Ron purchased his family's legacy home in Lutz, Florida, a property with acreage on just a handshake and a small cash deposit. Ron was often heard laughing- telling the story of how his friends thought he lost it for purchasing "out there in the middle of nowhere." That simple transaction grew into today's Barton Drive, a road bearing his name and lined with homes he handbuilt; in which many Bartons and their families still live. Ron later merged efforts with colleagues and began to specialize in custom homes through their creation of Devonshire Homes with projects on Harbor Island, South Tampa, and St. Petersburg- Ron would proudly include homes for local professional athletes among those built. In the early 70s, Ron helped construct the first Little League field and complex at Lutz Park and coached some of the earliest Lutz Little League teams. During that time Ron also worked to purchase acreage in a valley of Tazewell County, VA for his then aging parents, family and extended family to share and enjoy for all time. Ron vigorously pursued his hobbies- long drives to nowhere with his dearly beloved wife, fishing, golfing, hunting, collecting (tractors, antique farm equipment, guns, knives, etc.) and always spending time with family, friends and so very much more. Ron built a legacy of memories: happy roadtrips, vacations, fond holiday gatherings and traditional living lessons for his family.
Ron valued nature and animals as God's creation and instilled this appreciation into his children and grandchildren.
Ron lived life to the fullest, marked by integrity, quiet strength, and unwavering dedication to providing for and guiding his immediate and extended family. Whether tending to his acreage and loved ones in Virginia, lending a helping hand to neighbors, or financially assisting those in need. Every day Ron embodied the values of charity, kindness and hard work through his faith in Jesus.
A celebration of his life will be held at Loyless Funeral Home in Lutz, Florida on August 1, 2025, at 2:00 p.m., followed by a private gathering of family at his home. Flowers, donations to LifePath Hospice in his name, and cards to his beloved wife, Clarine Barton, are appreciated at this time.