Obituary: Joseph Henry Barton, 79
On March 17, 2015, Joseph Henry Barton, 79, beloved father of Steven Barton and his wife, Alyssa, Sharon Kirsch and her husband, Stuart, and Stuart Barton, succumbed to his courageous battle with liver cancer. In addition to being a loving father, he was a devoted Zayde to Maia, Ariana, Tea, Joshua and Jessica. Joe was predeceased by his lovely bride of 50 years, Joan Barton, who passed away in 2009.
Joe graduated from the University of Alabama in 1958 and later moved to Atlanta. He was a very ambitious man, and eventually Joe made a name for himself when he created United Transmission Services in downtown Atlanta. His business flourished and became a well-known staple for people all over Georgia for 50 years. With a reputation for outstanding customer service and integrity, Joe never turned anyone away from his shop (even if they could not pay), and he never met a “stranger”! He was not shy when it came to hard work, and helping others was part of his nature. Joe had a long history of philanthropy, always finding ways to give back to the community with a generous and open heart. Though he never wanted to be recognized for his contributions, he also was eager to lend support wherever and whenever needed. Joe Barton was often referred to as the “Mayor of Marietta Street,” constantly engaged in long conversations with anyone who would listen — and there were many who wanted to hear what Joe had to say! Talking wasn’t Joe’s only favorite hobby. He spent many years covering much of Atlanta either by running or walking with his dog and son Stuart. He was a long-distance runner before running ever became fashionable, and his family was never quite sure if he enjoyed the running or the opportunity it gave him to meet someone new. Those of us who had the pleasure of knowing Joe realized early on that there wasn’t much in his world that bothered him. He was always upbeat and, when asked how he was doing, would enthusiastically reply, “Great, I never had it so good!” At Joe’s 50th high school reunion, he was asked, “What has been your greatest accomplishment?” Joe’s reply, “I was promoted from pumping gas to changing tires.” That was Joe — humble, easygoing and most of all lighthearted. Joe never met a person he didn’t know. You either had a friend in common, a cousin, a colleague, etc. At the end of those discoveries, Joe of course would come away with a story to tell his family at the dinner table. It went something like this: “I met the most interesting person today. …” Joe was a loyal husband, friend, extraordinary family man and confidant to many and will be terribly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Sign the online guestbook at www.edressler.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Weinstein Hospice, 3150 Howell Mill Road NW, Atlanta, GA 30327. Graveside services were held March 19, 2015, at Crest Lawn Memorial Park with Rabbi Mark Kunis officiating. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.
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