On Thursday, March 11, 2010, Neal Barton of Lumberton was called by his personal Savior, Jesus Christ, to come to his heavenly home.

He entered his earthly life on June 23, 1932 in Apple Springs, Texas located in Trinity County.  He was the youngest of six children born to Myrtie Roach Barton and G.A. “Babe” Barton.  His parents and brothers Lee, Lewey C. and Fred A. Barton all preceded him in death.

Neal was a devoted husband to his wife, Mildred Elizabeth Smith Barton, to whom he was married for fifty-two years.  Also, he was a loving father to their son, Neal Barton, Jr. and his wife, Renee.  He was a caring brother to his two sisters, Ruth Barton McClain and Betty Joyce Barton Due of Lufkin and he was blessed to have many nieces and nephews who brought joy into his life.

One of the things that he was most proud of in his life was the time he served his country in the Army during the Korean War.

He had a passion for reading Bible prophecy and studying the Holy Word each day, as well as a great interest in American history, especially the Civil War period.

There was never an animal that he did not feed but he took special time with cats and dogs, which gave him pleasure and he in return gave them food and love.

He attended the St. Mark’s Thursday Prayer Breakfast every week, where he frequently could be found in the kitchen helping to prepare breakfast for the men.  Each year, he enjoyed going to Lamar University to help cook for the students when his home church provided meals.  For many years, Neal worked at Some Other Place on Fridays, cooking and serving meals to the homeless.

Neal was a deacon at Westgate Memorial Baptist Church and his Celebration of Life Service will be held at the church on Tuesday, March 16, at 2:00 p.m. under the direction of Broussard’s, 1605 N. Major Drive, Beaumont.  A gathering of family and friends will begin at 12:30 p.m. in the church foyer until the time of his service.  A graveside service will be 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 17, 2010, at the Garden of Memories Memorial Park in Lufkin, with his family gathering there beginning at 12:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society of Southeast Texas, P.O. Box 1629, Beaumont, Texas  77704-1629, Stephen F. Austin State University Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 6092- SFA Station, Nacogdoches, Texas  75962-6092, or Angelina Junior College Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 1768, Lufkin, Texas  75902.