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RALPH THOMAS "TOM" BARTON
Retired Air Force Col. Ralph Thomas "Tom" Barton was called home by our Heavenly Father on May 18, 2011.
Tom was born Jan. 14, 1932, in Jacksonville, Ill., to Kenneth and Henrietta Barton.
He attended high school in Fort Scott, Kan., where he met his wife to be, Charlene (Johnson) Barton.
He went on to earn his DDS degree from the University of Missouri, School of Dentistry.
He practiced general dentistry in Clinton, Mo., and later joined the United States Air Force where he had a long and honored career as a prosthodontist and lab officer, achieving the rank of colonel.
Tom was in both the Korean and Vietnam wars. His awards included the Army good conduct medal, the Vietnam service medal and the Bronze Star.
In 1999, after the death of his wife of 45 years, Tom moved to Pittsburg, Kan., to be near his brother Terry Barton, USN, retired, and sister-in-law, Janet Barton.
He is survived by son Jeffrey Barton, daughter Kathy Pearson, daughter-in-law Stacie Barton, grandchildren Ashley Barton and Katie Pearson, brother, Capt. Terry Barton, sister-in-law Janet Barton, niece Lori Pratt and nephew Mike Barton.
Tom Barton was an officer and a gentleman, a loving husband, father, brother and friend.
John 11:25: "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die."