Larry “served as fighter pilot, educator, Director of Operations, Wing Commander (354th Tactical Fighter Wing), and ultimately as Vice Commander of the United States Air Force Weapons Center at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. His distinguished career of professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty is reflected in his numerous military decorations and awards.
After retiring from the Air Force, Larry became City of Las Vegas Deputy City Manager and in 1994, Las Vegas City Manager. During his tenure, he oversaw an era of unprecedented growth in City of Las Vegas population and property values, working tirelessly to balance residents’ needs with business interests.”(1)
Source: (1) https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/kansascity/name/larry-barton-obituary?id=4514936
Larry K. Barton, Col USAF, Ret., “Headed West” on January 30, 2007.
Larry Kay Barton, 72, former Las Vegas City Manager and Vice Commander of the Nellis Air Force Base Tactical Weapons Center, passed away on January 30, 2007, surrounded by his family.
Preceded in death by his wife of 48 years and college sweetheart, Gail T. Barton, formerly of Bluefield, West Virginia, he is survived by his beloved daughters and son-in-law: Valerie Barton of Las Vegas, Nevada, Alison Stroh of Henderson, Nevada, Julia and Todd Schonhar of Stephenville, Texas, Jacque Barton of Austin, Texas, and two grandchildren, Alison Barton and Ethan Stroh. He is also survived by four sisters: Nancy Maffry of Kansas City, Caroline Callaway of Austin, Texas, Lucy Castle of Longmont, Colorado, and Karen Cooper of Kansas City. Born December 7, 1934, in Kansas City, Larry received a bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Missouri, where he was a proud Sigma Chi brother.
He received his MBA from Auburn University and completed Harvard University’s Program for Management Development. Commissioned in 1956, Larry began a fulfilling 30-year career in the United States Air Force. Colonel Barton was a command pilot with more than 3500 flying hours and over 200 combat missions. He served as fighter pilot, educator, Director of Operations, Wing Commander (354th Tactical Fighter Wing), and ultimately as Vice Commander of the United States Air Force Weapons Center at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.
His distinguished career of professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty is reflected in his numerous military decorations and awards. After retiring from the Air Force, Larry became City of Las Vegas Deputy City Manager and in 1994, Las Vegas City Manager. During his tenure, he oversaw an era of unprecedented growth in City of Las Vegas population and property values, working tirelessly to balance residents’ needs with business interests. He had little patience for bureaucratic logjams and stressed the importance of customer service.
His leadership style was distinguished by his concern for each employee, his forthright communication and honesty and his tenacious loyalty to those he worked for and who worked for him. He was a strong advocate of consensus building and teamwork and avoided public personal recognition.
The Las Vegas City Council declared June 22, 1998, “Larry Barton Day”- a rare and prestigious honor- in recognition of his selfless dedication, leadership and professionalism. Courage and humility followed him throughout both his careers as a distinguished Air Force pilot and officer, and as a City leader.
His family’s fondest memories are from the outdoors, sharing his love of camping and relaxing by cold streams, fishing for rainbow trout. He will be deeply missed by his children and grandchildren who adored and cherished him. Services were held February 12, 2007, at 11:20 a.m. at the Southern Nevada Veteran’s Cemetery in Boulder City. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the Disabled American Veterans.
Published by Kansas City Star on Feb. 13, 2007.
