Kenneth Harold Barton

Kenneth Harold Barton, age 63, of Bryant, died Wednesday, March 8th 2023 at Baptist Medical Center in Little Rock, with his wife and daughter by his side. Kenneth was born December 30th 1959 in Little Rock. He was the youngest of four children born to James Harold and Mary Ellen Kirkpatrick Barton, who preceded him in death. Also preceding him in death: his sister, Karen Barton Craig; his nephew, James Matthew Barton; his niece, Amanda Katherine Barton. 

Kenneth grew up in Little Rock and attended Little Rock public schools. He graduated from Central High School in 1979. Kenneth continued his education at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville where he was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and later earned a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts. 

Kenneth knew from an early age that he wanted to serve the world as a law enforcement officer. Before earning this achievement, he worked as a paperboy for the local paper in Little Rock and then moved on to assist his father, James, at Jones Truck Lines. In addition to serving as a police officer, he was also an EMT and volunteer firefighter. Ken served the state as a police officer in White County, McGee, Hazen (15 years), and then UAMS in Little Rock where he retired in 2017. 

Ken loved experiencing the beauty of “The Natural State” by taking the scenic routes on his motorcycle. He loved taking his wife and daughter on cruises for vacations. Over the years, Ken developed a backyard garden where he enjoyed sharing fresh produce with friends and family. As an alumnus of University of Arkansas, he loved watching the Arkansas Razorback basketball games with his mother-in-law, Virginia. One of his favorite pastimes was listening to an eclectic variety of music as well as dancing and singing along. He was a proud dog dad of Bear, Dixie, and Millie. 

Kenneth is survived by the love of his life, his wife Sarah Bain Barton and his daughter Hannah Purtle Lewis (Benjamin) of Little Rock, AR. Other survivors include his brother, James Micheal Barton (Karen) of Houston, TX; his sister Cathy Barton Watts (Bill) of Fort Meyers, FL; niece and nephews, David Barton (Debra) of Pearland, TX, Rachel Patrick of Fort Collins, CO, Eric Patrick of New York City, NY, Jacob Craig of Charleston, SC and Jared Craig (Amanda) of Conway, AR. He is also survived by his grandnephews, Jackson Matthew Barton, Blake James Barton, and Emery James Dokken. Family was incredibly important to Ken. He loved being a great-uncle as well as a “bonus grandpa” to Grayson and Stella Chu. 

Sarah and Hannah wish to thank Mike and Ann Zoellick of Leesburg, GA as well as Allen and Ruthie Bain of Alexander, AR for helping to accommodate Ken in their home during his later years. Special thanks to Dr. Mark Chu of Bryant Family Clinic, Dr. Jerry Cavaneau of Baptist Health Family Clinic in Bryant, and Dr. Thomas Kiser of Baptist Rehabilitation Institute. 

Visitation will be held 9:00-10:00 AM, Saturday, March 25, followed by Celebration of Life at 10:00 AM, at Smith-Benton Funeral Home, 322 N. Market St, Benton, Arkansas.

Online guestbook:  www.SmithFamilyCares.com.