On March 16, 2024, Roy Beasley Barton, Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) U.S. Army (Retired), passed away peacefully at home in Helena, Mont. with family by his side. Roy fought kidney disease for most of his life and was recently diagnosed with bone cancer. Roy was 74 years old. 

Roy was born in 1949 in Centreville, Miss. to Clarence “CC” Barton and Remola Barton of Lake Charles, La. Roy and his siblings, Stephanie McCalla, Lake Charles, La., Kathryn Beasley, Lafayette, La., and Cliff Barton, New Orleans, La., have been separated by great geographic distances, but remained close and spent as much time together as possible. 

Roy graduated McNeese State University in 1974 with a BS in Forestry and later earned a MA in Organizational Leadership from Chapman University. Roy commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army in 1974. During his time in the Army, Roy served tours in Korea and Germany as a helicopter pilot. Roy retired from the Army in 1998. 

Roy married his “high school sweetheart,” Zona King Barton in 1988. Roy and Zona enjoyed traveling the world together and spending time with family. 

After the Army, Roy and his family settled in Kalispell, Mont. where he taught Junior ROTC at Flathead High School until he fully retired in 2002. After the birth of their granddaughter, Roy and Zona moved to Helena, Mont. in 2015.

Roy enjoyed hunting and camping, but his favorite past time was fishing. In Roy’s final years, he spent as much time fishing as he could.

Roy is survived by his wife, Zona; son, Andrew; daughter-in-law, Heather; granddaughter, Kenzie; soon to be named Baby Barton; and stepson Christan “Kit” Delafield. Along with his mother, brother, sisters, nieces, nephews, and numerous friends who were like family. Roy was preceded in death by his father, CC Barton.

For numerous years, Roy received treatment at the St. Peter’s Health dialysis clinic. Roy’s family wishes to thank all the nurses, doctors, and other employees it takes to run the center, for the years of love and service they provided him.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home in Helena, Mont. A celebration of Roy’s life will be held in Helena, Mont. and Lake Charles, La. at a later date to be determined. Condolences can be sent to www.aswfuneralhome.com.