Garald A. "Bud" Barton

Garald A. Barton Jr. "Bud", born September 13, 1923 in Battle Creek, Michigan, passed away on August 28, 2014, in Birmingham, Alabama, at the age of 90. Garald was born and raised in Battle Creek, Michigan, graduating from Battle Creek Central High School in 1941. After graduation he went to work for the Michigan Bell Telephone Company.

In February 1943, Garald joined the United States Navy. His initial duty stations were the Great Lakes Naval Station in Illinois for basic training; then New London, Connecticut for submarine training; and finally, Iowa State College for electrical training. He then went to Pearl Harbor where he was stationed aboard the submarine USS Sunfish as Fireman 1st class. During those Years, the Sunfish went on many missions in the South Pacific. He said several times that he served under two Captains, both with the knowledge and skill to keep the Japanese from sinking her. Garald, and his shipmates, received the Navy Unit Commendation ribbon for outstanding heroism in action for the periods 23 October to 19 December 1944, and 31 March to 28 April 1945.

After his discharge in February 1946, Garald returned to Battle Creek and went back to work for "Ma Bell" as a lineman, until his retirement in February 1979. It was there that he met and courted Janice Geleff. They wed on November 6th, 1954. It was a second marriage for both, but it was meant to last. Sadly, Janice passed away on December 24th, 2011.

In his younger years, Bud was very active with friends and family, bowling, playing cards, and fishing, as well as attending all of the kids' activities & sports events. In the summer of 1962, he and Janice took the entire family on a cross-country camping trip to see several national parks; plus visit relatives in Seattle and attend the Seattle World's Fair. In his retirement years, he helped Janice with volunteer work at the old Community Hospital, and then at Leila Hospital (which later became Battle Creek Health Systems and then Bronson Battle Creek).

Garald was preceded in death by his wife, Janice; parents, Garald A. Barton Sr. and Isabelle J. Barton (Walter), sisters, M. Joyce Barton (MacCreery) and Patricia A. Barton (Pierce), and son, Alan M. Geleff.

He is survived by three children: Diana Geleff Meinberg (John) of Birmingham, Alabama; Douglas A. Barton of Battle Creek, Michigan; and Garald (Gary) A. Barton III (Cindy) of Antioch, Illinois, plus 15 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren.

There will be a short visitation and memorial at Farley-Estes and Dowdle funeral home in Battle Creek at Noon on Friday, September 5, 2014. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to a Hospice facility of your choosing. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.