EDMOND - Robert (Bob) William Barton's long, courageous battle with two rare forms of cancer finally came to an end on April 6, 2014, when he passed away, with Pat and Amy by his side, at the age of 67 years. Bob was born on April 2, 1947 to Kenneth and Doris Barton in Dallas, Texas.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth & Doris Barton. Bob is survived by his wife of 38 years, Patricia K. Barton of Denton, Texas; daughter, Amy Fuhrmann and husband, Ken, grandchildren, Emma and Nick of Highland Village, Texas; siblings, Floyd Barton and wife Jean of Corpus Christi, Texas, Patsy Jett and husband Steve of Marietta, Georgia, Debbie Henegar and husband Fred of Round Rock Texas, Kevin Barton and wife Annette of Chandler, Texas, and many nieces and nephews.

Bob graduated from R.L. Turner High School, Carrollton, Texas in 1965 and received a Bachelor of Business Administration from East Texas State University, Commerce, Texas in 1970. After college graduation he worked as an insurance claims adjustor in Chicago for a couple of years before returning home to work with his father as Vice President of Ace Body Company in Dallas. Bob then went to work for United Parcel Service (UPS) in 1977 as a driver and then in Human Resources and Operations management in Dallas, England and Oklahoma. He retired from UPS in 2004 so he could spend more time with his family, friends and traveling the world.

He and his wife, Pat, bred, raised and showed Arabian horses for 30+ years on their farm in Deer Creek (Edmond), Oklahoma. He was very active in the Arabian Horse Association community serving on the AHA Youth National Show Commission, managing Arabian horse shows in Oklahoma, serving on many committees for his clubs and Region 9, as well as at the National level. He was president of the Youth Foundation AHA Region 9, Inc. for many years – a charity very dear to his heart. He loved being a part of Region 9 and treasured all the friends he had in this great Region!

In 2008 Bob and Pat moved to the Robson Ranch Community in Denton, Texas to be closer to their daughter Amy and her family. Bob became active in the Robson Ranch Music Club which he thoroughly enjoyed, even served as President for a couple of years. He loved to sing and attended every Karaoke party the Music Club sponsored. His favorite songs to sing at Karaoke were "Mack the Knife", "Pretty Woman", "Sweet Caroline" and "Amarillo by Morning". He so enjoyed all the music programs the Music Club did for the community throughout the year. He and Pat also enjoyed traveling with the Robson Ranch Road Runners and had just returned from a cruise with that group. He chaired the "Election Committee" for a couple of years until his health would no longer allow him to do so. He always said that moving to Robson Ranch was one of the best decisions we had ever made because of all the fabulous friends we made through the "Grapes Expectations", "Cheers to Us Wine group", the "Potluck Club" and so many other groups! The people of Robson Ranch certainly made his last few years some of the best of his life!

He loved his family dearly and was very proud of his granddaughter Emma's accomplishments as a young actress - he had so hoped he would make it through to May 23rd when her next film, "Blended", opens in theaters! Bob always enjoyed going to his grandson Nick's baseball and flag football games – he rarely ever missed one! He was a wonderful father and husband – Amy and Pat will miss his quick smile and gentle ways. He loved to travel and was able to almost fill his whole "bucket list". He was a good man that enjoyed life and all the friends that he made along the way! Our family is blessed to have had him in our lives!

The family has requested that memorial contributions in memory of Bob Barton be made to the Youth Foundation Arabian Horse Association Region 9 Inc. Scholarship Fund, c/o Cindy Savage, PO Box 911, Belton, Texas 76513 (www.YouthFoundationRegion9.org ); or to the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, PO Box 4486, Houston, Texas 77210 (www.MDAnderson.org/how-you-can-help ).

A Memorial Service to celebrate Bob's life will be held at Restland Coppell Chapel, Rolling Oaks Memorial Center, 400 South Freeport Parkway, Coppell, Texas on Saturday, April 12, 2014 at 2:00 PM. Following the service a reception will be held at the Chapel for family and friends.