Edward Barton

September 29, 1933 - September 13, 2022

Edward was born in Fresno, CA to James Barton and Mary Sohigian Barton on September 29, 1933.  He made his home in the Fresno area where he taught at Roosevelt High School for 36 years.  Edward also became a licensed Marriage and Family counselor when he retired from teaching and worked as a counselor in different capacities for 24 years.

Edward is survived by his wife of 63 years, Carole.  They have four children:  Suzanne Barton, Jeanette Machoian, Amy Chitwood and her husband Derek, and Ned Barton and his wife Darlene; and seven grandchildren: Kiera Chitwood, Erin Chitwood, Ian Chitwood, Andrew Machoian, Joel Machoian, Nathan Machoian, and Laurel Machoian.

Edward served in several organizations throughout his life.  He was very active in Young Life while teaching at Roosevelt.  He volunteered with the Victim Offender Reconciliation Program (VORP) and New Creation Ministries for many years.  He also worked with children at Comprehensive Youth Services after retiring from teaching.  Edward served numerous terms as an elder in the churches he and Carole attended and counseled families through the church.

In addition to his work and volunteer activities, Edward enjoyed running, having run track in high school.  He continued this hobby as long as he was able, even participating in the Armenian Olympics in his fifties.  One of his favorite hobbies was farming.  He had 40 plus varieties of grapes, numerous fruit trees, and grew various vegetables every year, including Armenian yellow wax peppers that he marketed for a time.  Edward always shared his produce with others, as well as his time.  He often pruned and grafted others' fruit trees and gave horticulture help.  He was always interested in the local produce wherever he traveled, and once helped missionaries start an apricot farm in China.

The most important thing about Edward, though, and the things that truly set apart his legacy, were his love for God, and his care for people.  Having become a Christian in college, Edward led his family in the Christian faith and modeled how to live for Christ.  From the time he devoted to helping other families, to volunteering in church, to the times he shared scripture with his children and grandchildren, Edward's faith guided his actions.  He was about the "ministry of reconciliation," and his lifelong ministry of helping others mend broken relationships and learn effective communication was the most clear example of this.  That sincere love for others was a glimpse of the love he knew Jesus had for those around him, and he was faithful in sharing that through word and action.  His children and grandchildren feel blessed to have had this legacy passed on to them.

Edward's absence on earth leaves a hole that hurts incredibly deeply, but as his family and all those whose lives he touched can attest, he has fought the good fight, he has finished the race, and he has kept the faith.

Memorial gifts may be sent to:

Young Life Armenia

armenia.younglife.org

420 N. Cascade Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80903