Ruben Barton

(From Paul Thomas Funeral Home)

Ruben Monroe Burkybile-Barton of Miami, OK passed from this life Sunday, January 1, 2023 at his home. He was 77.

Ruben was born July 19, 1945 in Miami, OK.. He had lived in the Commerce and Miami, OK area all his life. He graduated from Commerce High School class of 1963 and served in the U.S. Army during Vietnam. 

He married Sharon Switzer on November 27, 1965. Ruben had worked at B.F. Goodrich in Miami, OK and for Able Body in Joplin, MO.

Ruben coached youth baseball, football, basketball and soccer and was director of the Boys Youth Basketball League for 12 years. He loved God and his family. He was a hunter, loved fishing, building on their home and loved working on old cars and was a big OU fan.

Ruben is preceded in death by his mother, Zelpha Barton, 8 brothers, Wiliver Barton, Ralph Carey Barton, Loyal Barton, Royal Barton, Loren DeWayne Barton, Lawrence Lee Barton, Herbert Leroy Barton and Wylie Eugene Barton and 2 sisters, Floretta Evans and Delores Ellick.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Sharon Barton of the home, 2 sons, Ruben “Jimmy” Barton and Shelly Newcomb of Miami, OK and Stacey Barton and wife Donna of Shawnee, OK, 1 daughter, Shannon Webber and husband Jaime of Marana, AZ, his mother-in-law Alta M. Switzer of the home, 2 sisters, Louise Stogsdill of North Miami, OK and Vivian Curtis of Indianapolis, IN, 8 grandchildren, Skye Draper, Zachary Adams, Nicholas Webber, Ashley Barton, Kelcee Henry, Kara McLain, Whitney White and Molly Reed and 8 great grandchildren, Salem Draper, Zander Draper, GJ Henry, Charli McLain, Micah McLain, Mason Reed, Decker White and Oaklynn White.

Graveside services will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, January 6, 2023 at G.A.R. Cemetery in Miami, OK. Rev. Geoff Buffalo will officiate. Military Rites will be conducted by Grove Veterans Ritual Team. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday evening at Paul Thomas Funeral Home Chapel in Miami, OK. Services have been placed in the care of Paul Thomas Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Miami, OK. Online condolences may be made at www.paulthomasfuneralhomes.com.