Funeral services for Mr. James Robert Neal Barton, Jr., age 48, of Cleveland, Texas, will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 22, 2008, at Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Jerry F. Barnes officiating. Interment will follow in Rehobeth Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 12:00 noon until 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home before the service. Mr. Barton passed away on Friday, October 17, 2008, in Houston, Texas.

James Robert Neal Barton, Jr. was born on October 28, 1959, in Carthage, Texas to James Robert Neal Barton, Sr. and Gloria Dee Allums Barton. He graduated from Dobie High School in Houston and attended the University of Houston. Mr. Barton served in the United States Navy from 1976-1980 and was honorably discharged. He married Sheila Marie Briggs on July 18, 1981, in Houston. Mr. Barton worked in the sheet metal industry as a Foreman for Gowan Sheet Metal for 25 years and was a member of the Sheet Metal Workers Union Local #54. He loved fishing, hunting, barbequing, sports, and most of all attending his children's activities. Mr. Barton was a member of the Security First Baptist Church near Cleveland. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Aaron P. Allums and his paternal grandparents, Jessie Lee and Minnie Bee Barton.

Mr. Barton is survived by his wife of 27 years, Sheila Barton of Cleveland; parents, Robert and Gloria Barton of Carthage; twin sons, James R. Barton, III and wife Carly of Longview and Jesse Barton of Euless; two daughters, Miranda Barton Barcena and husband Juan of Allen and Rachel Barton of Longview; maternal grandmother, Garl Dee Allums of Carthage; one sister, Belinda Lahar and husband Will of Farmersville; one granddaughter, Hillary Ann Barton of Longview; one nephew, Damon Lahar of Farmersville; and mother-in-law and father-in-law, Doris and Owen Briggs of Canon City, Colorado.

Serving as pallbearers are Robert Barton, James R. Barton, III, Jesse Barton, Juan Carlos Barcena, Mike Garcia, and Chuck Collins.

If desired, memorials may be made in Jim's memory to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, P.O. Box 301439, Houston, TX 77230-1439. He will be dearly missed by all those whose lives he touched.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.