Obituaries

Thomas Lionel Barton

Photo of Thomas Lionel Barton
Dr. Thomas Lionel Barton passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, Sept 19, 2015 at the age of 78 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. He was born July 24, 1937 in Columbia County, Arkansas to Thomas Archie and Audrey Dyson Barton. He grew up on a farm in Columbia County, and graduated from Magnolia High School in 1955. He studied agriculture at Southern State College (SAU) between the years of 1954 and 1956 and received a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture/Animal Science and a Master of Science in Poultry Nutrition from the University of Arkansas, and a PhD in Poultry Nutrition from Michigan State University. Between his master's degree and starting his PhD program, He served in the Army 6-month active-duty program and the 238th Transportation Reserve Unit at Camp Leroy Johnson in New Orleans, which was mobilized by President Kennedy due to the Cuban Missile Crisis. He served from September 1961 until August 1962. Dr. Barton joined the UA faculty in 1967 and served 28 years as a Cooperative Extension Service Poultry Specialist, retiring in March, 1995. Throughout his career and following retirement, Dr. Barton worked unceasingly to improve the lives of poultry farmers and address the needs of the poultry industry in Arkansas. He was also instrumental in implementing plans for the Center of Excellence for Poultry Science at the U of A and helped obtain significant funding from the Arkansas Energy Office for development and operation of the Broiler Energy Verification unit, where research is conducted in four, commercial-scale broiler houses. His valuable guidance and expertise played a critical role in developing the poultry industry into the largest sector of Arkansas' agricultural economy. He is known internationally for his expertise and in 1984 Dr. Barton conducted poultry seminars in China. For 13 years he conducted the National Collegiate Poultry judging contest hosted by the University of Arkansas and continues to remain involved in student recruitment through 4-H poultry judging and barbecue contests. In 1987 he was awarded the Pfizer Poultry Science Extension Award for distinguished service to the poultry industry. He has remained active in his retirement as an Emeritus Professor in the Center of Excellence at U of A and served as the first president of the U of A's Poultry Science Alumni Association. Dr. Barton was inducted into the Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame in the Class of 2011, and was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award from Southern Arkansas University in 2013. Preceding Dr. Barton in death were his parents and his wife, Martha Lou Caple, whom he married August 10, 1962. Survivors include a daughter, Ann Boyd and husband Shane, granddaughters, Breanna and Courtney Boyd; and three sons: James Barton and wife Christina, granddaughter Zoé Barton and grandson Eli Barton; Steven Barton and John Barton, all of Fayetteville. He is survived by two sisters, Carolyn Marriott of Magnolia and Evelyn and Joe Taylor of Cayuga, Texas, and a brother-in-law, Thomas Caple of Benton. Dr. Barton is also survived by four nephews and two nieces and their families. He will be greatly missed by extended family, friends, and colleagues. A memorial service will be held 2 p.m., Saturday, September 26, 2015 at Moore's Chapel in Fayetteville. Memorials may be made to the Lionel Barton Scholarship, c/o Southern Arkansas University Foundation, P. O. Box 9174, Magnolia, Ark. 71753, the University of Arkansas Department of Poultry Science, or the charity of donor's choice. To sign the online guest book visit www.mooresfuneralchapel.com.

Published September 22, 2015

Upcoming Events