In Memoriam
On this page, we join their families, friends and loved ones in remembering and honoring those NAOAGA members of the Never Quit family who have left us way too soon.
John Barton - June 10, 2023
John Kelly Barton, 70 of Ocala, Florida, passed peacefully on June 10, 2023
He was born in Washington, DC on July 19, 1952 to Donald E Barton and Elizabeth Garlock Barton. He attended Highpoint Highschool in Prince George’s County, MD after which time he enlisted in the US Army in December of 1970 and was stationed in Ft. Bragg, NC in the 82nd Airborne Division. Following John’s service in the military, he attended Fayetteville Technical Institute (Fayetteville, NC) where he received his diploma after which he obtained his license from the state of NC as an electrician. John married his 2nd wife, Cecile Louise Galloway in 1998 in Steamboat Springs, CO. They resided in Palm Beach Gardens, FL until 2016 when they relocated to Ocala, FL.
Earlier in John’s life, he was active raising his 4 children, was an avid craftsman, and enjoyed fishing and camping. Later, following an accident whereby he was left an amputee, John was active in the North American One Armed Golfer’s Association (NAOAGA) as one of the earliest members, Wounded Warriors, and National Amputee Golfers’ Association (NAGA). John was passionate about helping others with disabilities to remain engaged in life and “Never Quit” which is the motto of NAOAGA. The Never Quit Cup was later renamed by the organization to the John Barton, Never Quit Cup in his honor in January of 2023.
John Kelly Barton is survived by his wife, Cecile Barton, his four children, daughter Melanie Barton Combs and her spouse Jeff Combs, daughter Karie Barton Chitwood, daughter Kristina Barton Newman and her spouse Sean Newman and son Joshua Barton. John also leaves behind 8 grandchildren, Sam & Nicholas Combs, Gabrielle Chitwood Tolle & spouse Aaron Tolle & Zachary Chitwood and spouse Samantha Chitwood, Raymond Newman & Chloe Newman, Alexandria Bundrick & Rose Kioseff and 2 great-grandchildren, Marlaina & Oliver Tolle. John is also survived by a sister, Alice Barton Jarboe & spouse Jerry Jarboe, Mother-in law Ilse Galloway as well as cherished brothers & sisters in laws, cousins, nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Donald E. Barton and Elizabeth Garlock Barton and his sister, Jenny Barton Poyer.
The family will host a celebration of life at a later date (tbd). In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in John’s name to one of the following organizations:
https://www.naoaga.org/
https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/
https://donate.cancer.org/
He was born in Washington, DC on July 19, 1952 to Donald E Barton and Elizabeth Garlock Barton. He attended Highpoint Highschool in Prince George’s County, MD after which time he enlisted in the US Army in December of 1970 and was stationed in Ft. Bragg, NC in the 82nd Airborne Division. Following John’s service in the military, he attended Fayetteville Technical Institute (Fayetteville, NC) where he received his diploma after which he obtained his license from the state of NC as an electrician. John married his 2nd wife, Cecile Louise Galloway in 1998 in Steamboat Springs, CO. They resided in Palm Beach Gardens, FL until 2016 when they relocated to Ocala, FL.
Earlier in John’s life, he was active raising his 4 children, was an avid craftsman, and enjoyed fishing and camping. Later, following an accident whereby he was left an amputee, John was active in the North American One Armed Golfer’s Association (NAOAGA) as one of the earliest members, Wounded Warriors, and National Amputee Golfers’ Association (NAGA). John was passionate about helping others with disabilities to remain engaged in life and “Never Quit” which is the motto of NAOAGA. The Never Quit Cup was later renamed by the organization to the John Barton, Never Quit Cup in his honor in January of 2023.
John Kelly Barton is survived by his wife, Cecile Barton, his four children, daughter Melanie Barton Combs and her spouse Jeff Combs, daughter Karie Barton Chitwood, daughter Kristina Barton Newman and her spouse Sean Newman and son Joshua Barton. John also leaves behind 8 grandchildren, Sam & Nicholas Combs, Gabrielle Chitwood Tolle & spouse Aaron Tolle & Zachary Chitwood and spouse Samantha Chitwood, Raymond Newman & Chloe Newman, Alexandria Bundrick & Rose Kioseff and 2 great-grandchildren, Marlaina & Oliver Tolle. John is also survived by a sister, Alice Barton Jarboe & spouse Jerry Jarboe, Mother-in law Ilse Galloway as well as cherished brothers & sisters in laws, cousins, nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Donald E. Barton and Elizabeth Garlock Barton and his sister, Jenny Barton Poyer.
The family will host a celebration of life at a later date (tbd). In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in John’s name to one of the following organizations:
https://www.naoaga.org/
https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/
https://donate.cancer.org/
According to the Louisville Courier Journal. "He won two international championships and numerous national crowns. Time magazine once referred to him as an "Arnold Palmer of the one-armed-golf world." He mentored other amputees and raised money through a tournament for special needs children.
And he did it all with a smile and an amazing drive to succeed despite the cruel twist life handed him when his U.S. Army jeep flipped over in 1954, leaving a once-promising athlete with only his right arm."
In the 20th anniversary year of NAOAGA's founding, NAOAGA co-founder Don "Lefty" Fightmaster died Thursday February 20th, 2020 in Louisville after a 10-year battle with Alzheimer's disease. He was 87.
And he did it all with a smile and an amazing drive to succeed despite the cruel twist life handed him when his U.S. Army jeep flipped over in 1954, leaving a once-promising athlete with only his right arm."
In the 20th anniversary year of NAOAGA's founding, NAOAGA co-founder Don "Lefty" Fightmaster died Thursday February 20th, 2020 in Louisville after a 10-year battle with Alzheimer's disease. He was 87.
In 2019, we said goodbye to Charles McKinnon (l) and Tom Hartnett (r), former NAOAGA president pictured here together while playing a round at the 2017 Annual Meeting and Championships (AM&C) at the Treetops Resort in Gaylord, Michigan.
Tom Hartnett at the 2017 Annual Meeting and Championships (AM&C) Pairings Party.
Charles "Chuck" McKinnon
|
Chuck McKinnon memorialized with a plaque on a Raymond Floyd designed Par 5 hole at his home Captains Club in Grand Blanc, Michigan.
|
Chuck McKinnon memorialized with a plaque on a Raymond Floyd designed Par 5 hole at his home Captains Club in Grand Blanc, Michigan.
NAOAGA Obituaries
|
Year
|
Name
|
|
June 10, 2023
February 20, 2020
2019
2019
|
John Barton
Don "Lefty" Fightmaster
Tom Hartnett
Chuck McKinnon
|