Larry Lynn "Bear" Barton was born July 24, 1952, and joined our Lord on February 25, 2009. He was 56 years of age.

Bear was born in Higgins, Texas, where he proudly lived most of his life. He touched the lives of many people through his volunteerism. He was an EMT and a member of the Higgins Volunteer Fire Department for many years often serving as an officer. He worked many years as a heavy equipment operator for Lipscomb County. For the past 12 years, he was a Deputy at the Ellis County Sheriff Department.

Bear's favorite hobby was hunting and spending time in the country. He loved to organize and oversee the "deer camp". He loved spending time with his family and friends.

Bear was preceded in death by his father, Leonard Barton, his mother, Maxine Jones, and a great-nephew, Riley Barton.

He is survived by two brothers, Rex Barton and wife, Carol of Higgins, Casey Booth of Gage, Oklahoma, and two sisters, Ronda Bartlett and husband, Terrill of Canadian, Texas, and Brenda Harris and husband George of Shattuck, Oklahoma, eight nephews, four nieces and a host of relatives and friends.

The family suggests donations to the Higgins Volunteer Fire Department instead of flowers.