James A Barton

Beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, James A Barton, age 88, passed away on October 1, 2018 after a short illness.  He was born on the Provo bench (now Orem) on July 8, 1930, the fourth child and third son of Samuel Preston Barton and Ila Mae Fowers.  He grew up on the family farm in Panguitch and, later, in Pleasant Grove, and graduated from Pleasant Grove High School in 1948.  He served in the U.S. Navy for four years during the Korean Conflict.
After his discharge from the Navy, he attended BYU, where he met Mary Furse.  They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on June 3, 1955.  He graduated with his bachelor’s degree from BYU, and then obtained his Master’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley.  After living in Provo, Orem, and Oakland and Modesto, California, they built a new home in Holladay, where they lived for the next 55 years.
Together Jim and Mary raised five children:  four sons and one daughter.  He was proud that all of his children served honorable missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Once his children began their own families, he happily welcomed each new daughter-in-law and grandchild.  He loved playing with his grandkids and they loved him!  He was so pleased as his grandchildren served missions, married, and began their own families.
Jim possessed a rare intellect and discipline.  He had a long, successful career as a certified public accountant (CPA), and he was a financial officer for a large multi-national corporation.  Later, he was a financial director for the Church in its Welfare Services, Distribution Center, and publishing divisions.  He was also a partner in several smaller businesses.
He worked hard, and he played hard.  His family has fond memories of exploring southern Utah with him, snow- and water-skiing, fishing at Yellowstone Lake, and deer hunting in the LaSal Mountains.  He began acquiring trials motorcycles and eventually had 18 of these bikes which they took on many adventures.  He loved playing basketball and golf and, after his retirement, he played golf several times each week.  He enjoyed gardening and sharing his fresh peaches, raspberries, grapes, and tomatoes.  He loved being outside and appreciated the changing seasons from the first tulips of spring to the golden aspen of autumn.
Jim was active in the Church and faithfully served in many callings, including in a bishopric, with the Young Men, and as a long-time stake clerk.  He was very organized and involved, and actively taught his children, both temporally and spiritually.  He loved life and sought to enjoy each day to its fullest.  He lived with kindness and generosity, virtue and integrity, and an abiding faith that filled his days with optimism and love.  He will be deeply missed.
He is survived by his wife, Mary, of 63 years; his five children – Rod (Lisa) of Logan, Kevin (Janet) of Idaho Falls, Brett (Lisa) of South Jordan, Michele of Taylorsville, and Kyle of Denver; 14 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren (with one more on the way).
Funeral services will be held on Monday, October 8, 2018 at 11:00 am at the Holladay First Ward, 2065 East 4675 South.  Viewing will be held on Sunday from 6 – 8 pm at Memorial Holladay~Cottonwood Mortuary, 4670 South Highland Drive, and on Monday from 9:30 – 10:30 am at the Church.  Interment will be in the Memorial Holladay Cemetery.
Service Information
Viewing October 7, 2018 at 6:00-8:00 PM
Memorial Holladay Cottonwood Mortuary, 4670 S Highland Drive, Holladay, UT 84117





Viewing October 8, 2018 at 9:30-10:30 AM
2065 East 4675 South, Holladay, UT 84117 Holladay First Ward





Funeral Service
October 8, 2018 at 11:00 AM
2065 East 4675 South, Holladay, UT 84117 Holladay First Ward