John "J.R." Barton

John "J.R." Barton, 81, of Biloxi, MS passed away on Friday, April 16, 2010. J.R. was a resident of the Gulf Coast for the past 11 years. He was retired from the US Air Force and he served during WW II, Korean Conflict and the Vietnam Conflict. He was a Gideon and a member of First Baptist Church of Ocean Springs where he served as a deacon and a greeter. He trusted Christ as his Savior in 1959 and has given his family a Christian heritage extending to his great-grandchildren. J.R. is preceded in death by his parents, John and Ovie Hitt Barton, sister, Catherine Craig; brothers, Frank and Bobby Barton. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Jean Barton of Biloxi; daughters, Carol Steenmeyer (Spencer) of Anchorage, AK, Rene Rippy of Biloxi; sisters, Evelyn Hayes of Irvington, Al, Lola Belle Austin of Killeen, TX; 7 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be on Wednesday, April 21, 2010 at 12:30 pm at the Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, Biloxi. Friends may visit from 11:00 a.m. until service time. Interment will follow in Biloxi National Cemetery.