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Richard Glenn Barton, 73

Richard Glenn Barton “Rick” was born Nov. 8, 1943, in Dodge City, Kan. He “ran the race, fought the fight, finished the course, kept the faith and claimed the crown of righteousness which the Lord prepared and reserved for him” on March 27, 2017, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. At the time of his death from pancreatic cancer, Rick lived in Post Falls, Idaho. His indomitable spirit and fierce determination through every stage of his 17-month journey with cancer amazed all he knew and encouraged many.

At age 13, Rick moved from Kansas to Boise, Idaho, with his family where he graduated from Borah High School in 1961. As a patriot, he joined the United States Marine Corps in 1962 and served eight years in the Reserves. In 1966, he graduated from Northwest Nazarene University with a B.A. in business administration. It was at this time that he met his sweetheart and the love of his life, Joyce Mittelstaedt. They married on June 17, 1966, in Connell, Wash. In 1977, he completed his master’s at Pacific Coast Banking School.

Rick began his career in banking with Idaho First National Bank on June 27, 1966, as a Management Trainee assigned to the Lewiston-Orchards Branch, Lewiston, Idaho. Subsequently, he was transferred eight times and retired on April 30, 2010, from U.S. Bank after nearly 44 years in the banking business.

Rick’s ability to build a Team that flourished and achieved was one of his trademark qualities in banking. This naturally drew people to him who couldn’t help but catch his vision and passion. He had the ability to connect with people and put them in positions that utilized their strengths; it enabled them to succeed and he fostered unity and teamwork everywhere he went. There were many challenges in his career; he opened a new branch, turned around a distressed branch, established a new department, unified employees from three different financial institutions and led them to accomplishment and recognition. His last responsibility brought him back to North Idaho in 2001 to establish a new Region for U.S. Bank consisting of 24 branches and three business banking teams. In every assignment and every challenge, Rick gave his full effort and attention, resulting in repeated recognition of “The Team” for their performance and accomplishment. Despite all this, Rick’s humility and “down to Earth” approachability distinguished his leadership style.

Rick was involved in each community in which he lived. Since its inception, he served on the advisory board of the Ray & Joan Kroc Salvation Army Community Center and chaired the board for one year. He also served on the United Way of Kootenai County Board for seven years, two as chairman, and on the Kootenai Health Foundation Board for six years, one as chairman. Rick was a Coeur d’Alene Rotarian for 16 years and was highly instrumental in leading the membership committee. He also loved mentoring people and made those relationships a priority, despite his busy schedule.

Regardless of where Rick and Joyce lived they poured themselves into their church. He served on the church leadership team wherever they lived and, along with his wife, Joyce, taught Sunday School classes, led small groups and served people in need. Additionally, he served as Finance Chair of the Northwest District Church of the Nazarene and was on the Board of Trustees for his alma mater, Northwest Nazarene University. His generosity to organizations who were the “hands and feet” of the calling to love and serve people locally and worldwide was a lifestyle.

Most of all, Rick loved his family. He dearly loved his wife, Joyce, and led his family with purpose. He was always there for family and made time for their needs. If one needed wisdom and perspective, Rick was always willing to share. Special times with his daughter often revolved around their shared love of music and he relished motorcycling in the hills with his son. His favorite times with family often included being in the great outdoors: camping, hiking, backpacking, skiing; Christmas at the family cabin in Cascade, Idaho, or simply gathering and telling stories. Rick orchestrated his vacations around activities that put him in nature. Those were extraordinary times that brought out a relaxed and humorous side of Rick. He loved having fun and could be what some may call a “goofball” in those moments. His sense of humor manifested itself in all aspects of life and he always enjoyed a good joke or a funny tale. He, like his father, was a master storyteller. Life’s embarrassing moments often became the topic of such stories.

Rick embraced life and lived it with gusto. His positive attitude was contagious and he made those he knew want to be better men and women. People around him often found themselves pulled into his “wake” and were soon motivated, enthusiastic participants in accomplishing the vision and task at hand. He was known for his unwavering integrity and continually made decisions with the overarching principle of “doing the right thing” as his guide. Furthermore, his faith and belief in Jesus as his Savior was the backbone of all he did. Rick was loved immensely, will be missed greatly, but is living eternally. For this we have Jesus.

Rick and the family thank all who have stayed by them during this journey. The countless acts of kindness and caring, the many prayers on their behalf, the tender and compassionate care from all the nurses and doctors at the cancer centers; what a blessing! Thank you and bless you.

He is survived by his wife, Joyce Barton; daughter Juli Barton; son Ryan (Jamie) Barton; granddaughter Lucia Barton; grandsons Bode Barton and Flint Barton; sister Judy (Larry) Jantz; brother Stephen (Sandra) Barton; brother Philip (Lori) Barton; sister Jil (Ren) Evans; uncle Glenn Barton; aunt Virginia Page; and numerous cousins, nephews and nieces.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Oscar Junior and Maxine Mary (Bryan) Barton; uncle Clement Barton; aunt Melba Komarek; aunt Francis Sanders; uncle Bill Bryan and aunt Jeanette Steinkuehler.

A celebration of Jesus’ life in Rick’s life service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday April 8, 2017, at Lake City Church, 6000 N. Ramsey Road, Coeur d’Alene. Yates Funeral Home will be facilitating and Rev. Charles Wilkes Jr. and Dr. Randy Craker will be officiating.

Remembrances would be appreciated and should be sent to P.O. Box 3932, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83816 or rbarton614@gmail.com. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Hospice of North Idaho, 9493 N. Government Way, Hayden, ID 83835; The Salvation Army Kroc Center, 1765 W. Golf Course Road, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815; or Nazarene Compassionate Ministries, 17001 Prairie Star Parkway, Lenexa, KS 66220.

Please visit Rick’s online memorial and sign his guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.