Charles H. 'Chuck' Barton, 89
Charles H. ‘Chuck’ Barton, 89
Charles H. “Chuck” Barton, 89, passed away in his sleep on June 14. He was at home in Bigfork.
He married Marlene on Dec. 21, 1951. They were married 64 ½ years.
Chuck is survived by his wife, Marlene, son David, grandson and namesake Charlie; his sister Wana Maurer and her children Jeff and Kathy Maurer and children Michelle and Kurt Olson and children Jason Maurer and Jennie Hayes and a son. All reside in the Portland, Oregon, area. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his first son, Ralph Barton, in 1995.
Chuck was born in 1927 in Harlem, Montana. He moved to Bigfork in 1942 with his parents, Ralph L. and Katherine Barton and sister Wana. He loved it here.
As a young man he worked many jobs, including the shipyards in the Seattle-Tacoma area. He joined the Navy in June of 1945 with hopes of becoming a pilot in the air corps. The war ended and he was honorably discharged in August of 1946.
He attended college at MSU in Bozeman. Then followed pipeline construction throughout the West. After marrying Marlene they followed the pipeline for a while before moving back to Bigfork to help run the family resort/cabin camp on Flathead Lake. He and a partner bought a truck and he hauled logs for several years before going to work for Pacific for 27 years and also held a school bus contract for 45 years as well as holding a commercial pilot’s license and logging some 3,000 hours in single engine aircraft. Flying was truly one of the loves of his life. He was instrumental in creating the Ferndale airport and was the first pilot to land there. He was a longtime member of and retiree from the Bigfork Fire Department, as well as a member of the Masons and Shriners.
In lieu of flowers etc., memorials can go to the Bigfork Quick Response Unit.
The Barton family wishes to express its thanks to all friends and acquaintances for the kind words of condolence and especially the fine people of Bigfork/Ferndale.
There will be a memorial service/celebration of life at 2 p.m. July 16 at the Swan Chapel.