James Edward Barton

James Edward Barton

1960-2018

Jim Barton, a man who could reach, teach and connect with many people on boundless levels, died peacefully in his sleep while on a long-awaited trip to Ireland with his wife, Diane, on June 20. He was 57.

Jim was born to Joan and John Barton of Memphis, Tenn., on July 11, 1960. He was a graduate of Memphis University School and went on to Rhodes College where he earned a BA in communications. In 2013 he earned a Master of Arts in Teaching at Mercer University. Jim was a writer at heart and in practice. He was also a brilliant artist who created one-of-a-kind interpretations of popular songs as effortlessly as he designed logos for his national and regional clients. He used his narrative voice and artistic talents to craft messages and build brands as a principle at The Overton Group, and later, Barton Communications.

Prior to Overton and Barton, Jim worked in marketing for The Provident Companies and Lithonia Lighting.

A longtime resident of Atlanta, Jim moved to the city from Chattanooga in 1986 when he took a job with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution as a marketing writer and multi-media producer. It was there he met Diane. They would marry in the fall of 1990 and later have two children: Jack, 22, a lacrosse player at the University of Georgia studying history and economics, and Josie, 20, an Altman Scholar at Tulane University studying marketing, international relations and Spanish.

Though it may sound cliche to say that Jim loved his wife and children more than anything in the world, cliches are cliches because they are true. And it is true that the devoted husband and father would do anything for his family. And for this, they say, they loved him as much, if not more, in return.

Jim hit his professional stride and found another calling when he took a position as the writing lab instructor at Holy Innocents' Episcopal School in 2009, teaching fourth- and fifth-grade students both the science behind and the art of crafting language into messages that would instruct, inspire and convey meaning. For the last decade of his life, he poured himself into the classroom and constructed an environment where young students were free to explore their thoughts and harness the powers of their intellect to express themselves in ways they previously thought were not possible. He was loved for the teacher, colleague and friend that he was when he was walking the halls, laughing and making others feel great about themselves. He is loved and is mourned by hundreds of students.

Jim is survived by his wife, Diane Fiorillo Barton, his children, John Hamill Barton and Josephine Marie Barton, his mother, Joan Poston Barton, and his brothers, John Poston Barton and Stephen Curry Barton. His nieces, nephews and great nephew will greatly miss his fun-loving spirit.

A celebration of Jim's life will be held on Friday, June 29, at 10 a.m. at Holy Innocents' Episcopal Church in Sandy Springs, GA. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to help his family and friends build "Jim's Treehouse." An interactive, educational natural classroom. Donations can be made here: https://www.gofundme.com/treehouse-in-memory-of-jim-barton?utm_source=internal&utm_medium=email&utm_content=campaign_link_t&utm_campaign=welcome

Condolences may be expressed at www.mcdonaldandson.com.

Arrangements by McDonald and Son Funeral Home, 150 Sawnee Drive, Cumming, GA 30040 (770) 886.9899

Friday, June 29, 2018
10:00 AM

Holy Innocents' Episcopal Church

Sandy Springs, Ga