Don Barton, 87, Hays, died Saturday, March 15, 2025 at Hays Med.
He was born August 15, 1937 in Hutchinson, the son of LaVerne and Dorothy (Welty) Barton. Don graduated from Nickerson High School with the class of 1955, and he attended Fort Hays State University, earning a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Industrial Arts. He began his teaching career in 1959 and for a combined ten years, taught in Liberal and Kingman before returning to Fort Hays State University where he was a professor of Industrial Arts for 30 years.
On November 18, 1972, he was united in marriage to Sharon Vlasak in Hays. They celebrated 52 years of marriage. Some of their past-times included attending FHSU basketball games and spending their summers in Salida, Colorado in their motor home.
Don was a 55-year member of the Hays First United Methodist Church, a member of the Sunflower State Crankers Model T Club, a member of the Masons, Shriners, Lions Club, and Tiger Club.
A few of Don’s own hobbies included fishing and spending time at the lake, where the last time he water skied was when he was 65 (just to prove that he still could).
Beyond his professional and family life, Don had a deep love for music and automobiles. He played the organ for rodeos across Kansas, Colorado, and Missouri, bringing energy and excitement to events. His enthusiasm for classic cars was evident in his meticulous restoration and enjoyment of Model T automobiles (1914 and 1921), which he took great pride in driving. With his 1966 Chrysler Newport, which he bought new, he drove many FHSU Presidents and dignitaries in parades.
Survivors include his wife, Sharon, his daughter Shauna Zweifel and husband, Josh, and his two granddaughters, Sage and Brynn Zweifel, all of Hays.
He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Kenneth, Bruce, and Richard Barton.
Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 26, 2025 at the First United Methodist Church with Rev. Dr. Susan Murithi officiating. The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until service time at the church. Private family inurnment will be at a later date in Mt. Allen Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the First United Methodist Church. Services are in care of Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home and condolences and memories of Don may be shared with his family at www.haysmemorial.com.