Rev. John Barton Sarjeant

The Rev. Dr. John Barton Sarjeant J Barton Sarjeant, former rector of St. John's Episcopal Church Ross, passed away on September 14, 2006 after a long illness, surrounded by friends and family. Born on July 16, 1939, to Dorothy and Gerald Sarjeant of San Pedro. During college both his chaplain and parish priest urged him to go to seminary. Finding their perceptions resonated with his own heart, he began his masters of divinity studies at the Church Divinity School of the Pacific in 1962. That same year he also married his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Beverly Racek. At seminary he developed an intellectual curiosity and love of literature, alongside his passion for people, and in 1965 he followed his true calling and became a parish pastor. "There wasn't anything else I wanted to do," he said. "I simply wanted to be with people, young and old, in the triumphs and tragedies of life-in their homes, at their bedside, and at their graveside." After graduation, Bart's father-in-law gave him his first Harley. Thus began a lifelong love of motorcycles, and Bart's "hog" was a common sight around his parish. He also loved Corvettes and antique collector cars. Beginning his parish ministry at St. Martha's Episcopal Church, West Covina, he then moved to St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Palo Alto, specializing in youth ministry. He grew the youth group from seven to 125 members! He and Bev also welcomed a son, Greg, and then later celebrated the birth of their daughter Michelle. In 1969 he accepted a call to become the rector at Christ Church, Sausalito, where he served for nine years and then moved to St. John's Episcopal Church, Ross, serving as rector for 23 years. Bart's first passion in the parish was working with youth-teaching the 8th grade confirmation class and leading the Genesis youth program. Bart took special pride in the summer work projects, where teenagers built churches, led Bible school, and worked hard in far-flung locales from Alaska to Appalachia and Newfoundland. Countless Genesis members attest that these summers, and Bart's spiritual guidance, changed their lives. After his retirement in 2001, Bart wrote two books centered around the stories and sermons of his ministry. He continued to serve, volunteering as volunteer assisting priest at Holy Innocents, Corte Madera and as chaplain at the San Francisco Towers. He also spent a great deal of time with his grandchildren, Max and Isabella, who adored and loved him as "Papa," a gentle, patient and playful grandfather. Bart was honored by CDSP the degree of doctor of divinity, honoris causa, on May 19th, 2006 and as rector emeritus at St. John's on September 9, 2006. Bart is survived by his wife Bev; his son Greg and his wife Larissa; his daughter Michelle and her husband Ryan; his grandchildren Max and Izzy; his siblings Geraldine "Jerry" Bark, Carl Sarjeant, Jim Sarjeant; his mother-in-law Genevieve Racek; plus countless nieces, nephews and godchildren. A Memorial Service will be held at St. John's in Ross, Wed, Sept. 20, 2006, 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers please donate to St. John's Episcopal Church, Ross, Holy Innocents Episcopal Church, Corte Madera, or the Foundation for Integrative Oncology, PO Box 5031, Larkspur, CA 94977.