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Joseph Barta Obituary
October 24, 1938 - May 4, 2023
Joseph Arthur Barta passed away on the morning of May 4, 2023. He was born in Richlands, Virginia, on October 24, 1938, the only child of the late Joseph Andrew Barta and Mae Spriggs Barta. When he was a young child, his family moved to the coalfields of McDowell County, West Virginia. He was a 1956 Gary High School graduate, where he was a standout on the basketball and football teams. He was also elected Homecoming King, won the Knights of the Golden Horseshoe Award, and was one of the first recipients in the country of the SAT National Merit Scholar Award. Although he lived most of his adult life in Southwest Virginia, he always considered himself a West Virginian. He attended Virginia Tech as a member of the Corps of Cadets and graduated in 1960. He married Sue Ann Blair, a fellow Gary High School graduate, and they moved to Morgantown, where he attended West Virginia University medical school. He excelled in medical school and afterward moved his young family to Germany to honorably serve his country in the US Army for three years, attaining the rank of Major. He attended Duke University's prestigious residency program in ophthalmology. After completing his residency he and Sue moved to Radford, Virginia with their four children to begin his successful ophthalmic practice. He took care of thousands of patients over 30 years, with three busy offices at the height of his career.
He was known for his quick wit, keen intellect, and his medical knowledge and skill - both in the office and surgical suite. He was a fierce competitor on the racquetball court and played daily for many years. He also loved playing pick up basketball and was able to play full court basketball with his children and grandchildren well into his 70's. He was a proud member of MENSA and an avid jeopardy fan. He enjoyed playing poker with his friends. He loved and was so proud of his family and above all was devoted to his wife, Sue, who was his constant companion and caretaker over the past few years.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved son, Michael Joseph Barta, and is survived by his wife, Sue; son, Mark Blair Barta (Amy); daughter, Amy Barta Wall (Jimmy); and daughter Laura Jo Barta. He is also survived by 15 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
A funeral mass will be held Tuesday, May 9, 2023, at 12 p.m. at St. Jude Catholic Church in Radford, Virginia, with the Reverend Cassidy Stinson presiding. Interment will follow at West View cemetery in Radford.
The family would like to thank Dr Chuck Judy and the staff of Intrepid USA hospice as well as Father Cassidy for their care and support.
The Barta family is in the care of Mullins Funeral Home in Radford. www.mullinsfuneralhome.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Joseph Barta
Sponsored by Mullins Funeral Home & Crematory - Radford.
Doug Sowers
August 7, 2025
Sorry for your loss well after the fact. I was telling an associate about a very bad eye problem and Dr. Barta came up as my saving grace. I looked him up to see that he had passed. I had contracted an infection from another doctors office and was a student at RU. After being quranteed off the campus and blind in one eye, Dr Barta got me thru a bad situation. Always upbeat but straight forward for a couple of months no less. I want forget him nor the names of the meds. So lucky to have an outstanding doctor for my help. What a great guy.
Johanna Thompson
May 13, 2023
I will always remember Joe and Sue as neighbors and friends. Sending prayers and love.
Johanna Thompson
Gina Miano
May 12, 2023
Dr. Barta was an amazing doctor and father. I spent many days and nights with Amy and her family growing up. His family is wonderful and will carry on his legacy for many generations to come. Joe was always smiling - the last time I saw him in Food Lion he was pushing a buggy of food with the biggest smile. Prayers for healing and peace to the Barta family. He will be missed!
Joe Buenrostro
May 11, 2023
Remember him well. He played football and graduated with my brother Frank. And Sue was his biggest fan as a Cheerleader for Gary High School. May he rest in Peace. I´m
Bill & Lisa Martin
May 10, 2023
Amy and family we are so sorry to hear about your dad prayers for you and your family.
BOB BOWMAN, CLASS OF 1960 VA TECH.
May 9, 2023
I ATTENDED VA TECH WITH JOE AND MET HIM AGAIN AT KEESLER AFB WHERE HE TOOK MY FATHER-IN-LAW FISHING WITH SOME OTHER VA TECH GRADS WHO WERE ASSIGNED THERE. SO SORRY TO HEAR OF HIS PASSING.
Diana west
May 9, 2023
So sorry for your loss
Anne Hungate Baughan
May 9, 2023
So sorry for your loss, Sue Anne. He was a great help to my parents in Christiansburg.
Mary Jane Colosi
May 9, 2023
Love and Prayers for Sue and their Family and Friends. May He Rest In Eternal Peace Joe was truly One of the Good Guys. Remembering our visits and meals at the
beach. Precious Memories.
May God Bless Each of You
Mary Jane Hardy Colosi
Johnny and Lisa Buckner
May 8, 2023
It is our prayer that God will comfort you and your family during this time. May he richly bless you even as you mourn, and may the light of his presence be a continual source of consolation.
Susan Lockwood
May 8, 2023
Joe was such a special man. I will always remember him as a kind and gentle soul.
Thinking of Sue and the family!!
Barbara Rose Andew
May 8, 2023
Sad to see you go,Barbara Rose Andrew
Susan Wells Fitchko
May 7, 2023
Condolences to the entire Barta family. My parents Jack and Phyllis Wells from Gary watched him grow up and admired him and Sue greatly. No one examined their eyes but Dr Barta. He will be missed.
Susan Wells Fitchko
Sandra Bennington Watkins
May 7, 2023
His mother was my first grade school teacher at Anawalt Prayers for his family. God bless. From Bennington family.
Edward Winiarczyk
May 7, 2023
My deepest sympathy and condolences to a glass mate and friend. Sue, I was shocked and saddened to learn of his passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and family. May his soul rest in peace.
Nancy Glass
May 7, 2023
The Glass Family sends our deepest sympathy and love. We adored Dr. Barta.
Glass Family
Sent Flowers
Mary Clark Perdue
May 7, 2023
My mother, Eve Clark, taught Dr. Barta at GHS. He helped my brother with his eye issues and also my husband with cataract surgery! He was always so kind and helpful! Sending prayers to his family!
Goldie & Don (Bratsis) Woolen
May 7, 2023
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Ingrid Boysen
May 6, 2023
My thoughts and condolences are with you Sue.
Joe was truly a treasure and I am grateful to have had the chance to spend time with him when you would stay in Myrtle Beach. I´ve never met anyone as sweet as Joe.
May your memories and many, many years of love for one another bring you some comfort.
Rita Dixon
May 6, 2023
Joe and his family were great back door neighbors to us when our son Chip was 5 years old. Many fun times Bill & I had with him & Sue. We are sad to hear of his death.
Anthony Miano
May 6, 2023
Dr. Barta was so fun to be around. He was generous, caring and always put a smile on my face. He has a strong family to carry his legacy. Godspeed.
Donald Chambers
May 5, 2023
He was a great Doctor and father. I spent many a day at the Barta house and loved it. Doctor Barta you will be missed.
Delores Snell
May 5, 2023
May God Bless Each And Everyone Of Your Family!❤
Wanda Humphrey
May 5, 2023
So very sorry for your loss. He was a great doctor, and I always loved running into him at the grocery store and discussing world situations. He will be missed. May God comfort his family.
Tammy Craft
May 5, 2023
Dear Sue and family,
My heartfelt condolences at this time. I’ll never forget the several times your sweet husband sang for me in your home, and how he sang at the hospital for a nurse one evening. My sweet friend, Sue, Joe loved you so much! You were truly blessed in your marriage.
My love and hugs
Your friend,
Tammy Craft
Renee Steele
May 5, 2023
Dr. Barta was a very nice man and a great physician. He was very nice to me when I first finished nursing school. I am sorry for the family. ♥
Tom Starnes
May 5, 2023
Dr. Barta was a great doctor and wonderful individual. He will be missed
Tony Miano
May 5, 2023
Joe was a dear friend. We both went to high school 5 miles apart in McDowell Co., West Virginia . And both moved to Radford, Va. on the same day in 1972, we renewed our friendship and played racquetball on a regular basis. He was a very good athlete through out his life until illness set in several years ago. He and Sue raised a wonderful family. Their children and our children grew up together and shared many happy times . Joe was a outstanding Doctor and held several different degrees in the medical field before settling on Ophthalmology in Radford, Va..We will miss Dr. Barta and our thoughts and prayers will be with the Barta family. May God Bless them all.
Tony Miano and family
Mary Lee Saul
May 5, 2023
Dr. Barta was my physician and friend for many years. I also worked at Radford Hospital and CNRV in pathology. Had a lot of contact with him as his last office was close to us. Would be hard put to find a nicer person. He will be missed. My condolences to his family.
Mildred Stafford
May 5, 2023
He was one of the very best.
Regina Bonds
May 5, 2023
Thoughts and prayers to the family. Dr. Barta was one of the kindness people I have met.
Cathy Dalton
May 5, 2023
I worked with Dr. Barta at Radford Community Hospital and New River Valley Medical Center in the Operating Room for many years. He was a wnoderful person and physician. I am so sorry for your loss. Sending prayers!❤
Grace Mah
May 5, 2023
I have fond memories of Dr Barta and dad playing poker and laughing together. They were great friends. My thoughts and prayers are with the whole Barta clan.
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May
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Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
St. Jude Catholic Church
Radford, VA
Funeral services provided by:
Mullins Funeral Home & Crematory - Radford120 West Main St., Radford, VA 24141
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