Obituary of Jimmy G. Barton

Funeral services for Jimmy G. 'Slick' Barton, 70, Leverett's Chapel, will be at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, March 13, at London Baptist Church with Reverend Johnny Wright officiating. Burial will be in Rusk County Memorial Gardens under direction of Cottle-Pearson Funeral Home. Slick died Tuesday, March 9, at his residence. He was born August 3, 1939 in De Berry to the late Julius and Syble Hudson Barton. He was a resident of Leverett's Chapel for seventy years where his family was a pioneer family and married Benita Sue Whitworth August 6, 1959 in Overton. Slick began his career in the oil field with Carter Jones Drilling Company as pulling unit operator while still attending high school at Laverett's Chapel. He continued at Circle M as rig supervisor working for Exxon for several years. After Circle M, he helped reestablish Well Tec which evolved into Key Energy. He retired with Key as Division Equipment Manager. Retirement was short-lived as he joined Mercer Well Service in 2003 where he continued until his death. The combination of 50 years experience and knowledge and desire to build the most practical and reliable workover rig in the industry led Slick to lead the development of a new working rig. This dream was fulfilled in 2007 when the first Spindletop "Slick 550" working rig rolled off the assembly line. Slick had his hand in designing every working detail of the rig which has quickly become a customer favorite in the field. Today, Slick 550s are deployed in the Haynesville, Barnett and Marcellus Shales as well as West Texas and the deep Bossier Trend of Central Texas. Slick's reputation is well known for his culinary skills from barbeque brisket to carrot cake and everything in between. He has the unique ability to be able to supervise shop duties while cooking Thanksgiving dinner for 100 people. Through the years, Slick has gained a loyal group of dedicated employees: many continue to work for him until today. Slick gives everything he has to all and is friend to all, man and beast. He was a competitor not an enemy in the industry. Survivors include his wife, Sue Barton of Leverett's Chapel; a son and daughter-in-law, Jimmy Glynn Barton, II and his wife Sammie of Liberty City; a daughter, Kristi Joan Green of Leverett's Chapel; a sister, Rebecca Knighton of Overton; and two grandchildren, Christopher Bynum and Aaron Chaney Barton. Pallbearers will be Christopher Bynum, Nathan Holland, Randy Gaut, Jimmy Melton, Steve Knighton, Mike Knighton, Randy Barton, and Tommie Cubine. Honorary pallbearers will be Paul Snelling, Jimmy Chastain, and Bill Pittman. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm, Friday, March 12. If desired, memorials may be made to the National Humane Society of East Texas, 1823 CR 386, Tyler, TX 75708.