Homer L. Barton

Homer L. Barton, Jr. passed away at home on Monday, May 23, 2016 after a long illness.
He is survived by his three children, Jean Raphael (David) Cantu of Clearwater, Florida, Gregory Lambert Barton, of Chicago, Illinois, and Frederick McFerran (Jody) Barton, of Cornelius, North Carolina, five grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. In addition, he is survived by a brother, Frederick B. (Peggy) Barton, of St. Louis. His wife Eleanor predeceased him in 2014.
Homer was born in Owensboro on July 23, 1929, the elder son of Homer L. and Margaret Kurz Barton. As a boy, he lived on the Kurz family farm and coal mine that now forms part of Ben Hawes Park. He graduated from St. Frances Academy in Owensboro, attended St. Mary's University in San Antonio, TX, and graduated from the University of Notre Dame. He served as an officer in the U.S. Navy during and after the Korean War. He married Eleanor Fuqua, his high school sweetheart, in 1953 while he was in the Navy, stationed at Norfolk, Virginia.
After the Navy, Homer returned to Owensboro where his early business career encompassed many jobs, including that of a salesman at radio station WOMI, and an accountant at Texas Gas Transmission. He finally found his true calling as an investment advisor, starting out in 1961 with J. J. B. Hilliard in Owensboro, and ultimately joining Harris Upham & Co. in Evansville (later Smith Barney), where he managed the office for many years. Homer gave generously of his time and investment expertise to many Catholic organizations, including acting as chairman of the Investment Advisory Committee for the Sisters of Providence in Terre Haute, Indiana, being a member of the Finance Council for the Diocese of Owensboro, and advising St. Meinrad Seminary and Brescia University on their investments. Despite these commitments, Homer rarely missed dinner at home with his family. In addition to being a rabid Notre Dame football fan, Homer was an avid reader, bridge and tennis player, and a sometimes fisherman.
A funeral Mass will be said 11:00 a.m. Thursday at Brescia University Chapel. Visitation at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory will be Wednesday from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. with prayers at 7:00.
Homer's children would like to thank Linda Goode, Cheryl Haynes, Jenny Lawless, and Amy, Becky and Christine Millay, all of whose outstanding care made it possible for him to spend his last days in the comfort of his home.
Expressions of sympathy may be made in the form of donations to Brescia University, the Boulware Center or the Daniel Pitino Shelter.