Curtis Elgan Barton was born in Alton, Missouri on February 19, 1948, then changed his address from earth to glory on March 29, 2025.

 Curtis was the seventh child born to Elgan and Bonnie Barton. In Curtis’ words, “they saved the best for last”. He attended Alton School and graduated in 1966. His senior yearbook held many comments stating how funny or mischievous he was, how he was a good singer, and had the nicknames Monk and Barton Carton.

 Curtis married Linda Bassham on June 1, 1968. During their 55 years together, he was a milk delivery man, car salesman, insurance agent, and business owner, he tinkered in everything and moved eight times. They had two kids, Andrea and Adam, who they raised singing and learning to do God’s work.

Curtis spent his down time doing things he loved. In his thirties and forties, he loved playing softball and would put together a church team yearly. Then it turned into sitting on his porch waving to any honking car, fishing from a boat or on land, or tinkering in the garage.

Overall, Curits loved people. When a customer would enter their Sears store, he would yell “hello” from anywhere in the store. You might also hear him say, “If I was doing any better…” or “never felt better and had less”. He also loved being in the presence of his grandchildren – Andrew, Hannah, Harmony and Cadence.

 He volunteered to cook or help at every fundraiser, reunion, fish fry, ice cream social, but was also volun-told to participate in parades, plays, and concerts, which he then brought jokes and laughter.

 As he approached death, he told the doctor, “God has given me a few more days to witness. Doc, do you believe?” He faced death with peace, promises he held onto, and with positivity that heaven would be better.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Linda, his parents Elgan and Bonnie Barton, his parents-in-law Talmage and Eunice Bassham, 3 brothers, 1 sister, 2 sisters-in-law, 1 brother-in-law, and many other family members and great friends.

 Curtis was a proud Gideon member.

 A Celebration of Life service will be held Sunday, April 13, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at the Carter Funeral Home Chapel in West Plains, Missouri, under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc., West Plains.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Gideons and can be left at the funeral home.

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