Robert "Dusty" Barton Jr.

EVENTS. 1

Dusty's Fourth of July Send Off

Jul 4, 2020, 3:00 PM US/Eastern

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Ludlow, VT

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Kizzi Danh

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Robert "Dusty" Barton Jr.

February 19, 1947 - September 10, 2019

Join us in celebrating the life of Robert “Dusty” Barton. Contribute to this lasting memorial by sharing stories, memories, photos, and videos. As we plan gatherings, we will post invites with event information on GatheringUs. Share this memorial with family and friends, and remember to RSVP to help us plan.

OBITUARY

Dear One and All, September 17, 2019 It has been a week since we heard the news about Dusty. And within two days we were altogether. It was a magical mystery tour with the skipper leading the way. As I have learned along the way, “The Bartons” don’t do things in the traditional way, whether it is a funeral or a wedding. Driving to Vermont I was fortunate to be with Kizzi because we are the... see moreDear One and All, September 17, 2019 It has been a week since we heard the news about Dusty. And within two days we were altogether. It was a magical mystery tour with the skipper leading the way. As I have learned along the way, “The Bartons” don’t do things in the traditional way, whether it is a funeral or a wedding. Driving to Vermont I was fortunate to be with Kizzi because we are the planners. It is what we are good at and it also makes us feel good to see it all come together. We started with the basics like meals and supplies. From there though, it grew to midnight raids on the Garden Club’s Sunflower bed or shooting off fireworks to remember Dusty’s love for explosives. Believe me when I say it has been an action packed 72 hours. Upon arrival in Ludlow, on Thursday, we were directed to go to the Mountain House. Shanni’s client and good friend Mike Beck has graciously let us use his Mountain House for family gatherings. When I was nursing Shanni back after hip replacement we stayed at the Mountain House. A week after I left Kizzi and Cora stayed with Shanni at the Mountain House. Then in July, Cara, Richard, Brennan and Ana all stayed at the Mountain House. Even Patti has stayed at the Mountain House. It is just the right size for a gathering of family and friends. Thursday evening was a little tense because we were tired, not sure what needed to be done or what we even wanted to do. The lists started growing and tasks were delegated. We had dinner and drinks and greeted some close friends, who had heard the news. We also heard from the Chief of Police, Jeff Billings, that they ruled Dusty’s death as a probable heart attack. Somehow this was a relief to me because I didn’t like the current picture I had in my head and this helped create a new one. So it was decided that on Saturday we would invite close local friends up to the Mountain House to pay their respects. As expected there was tons of food and some great stories. People who had known Dusty since he had moved to Ludlow some 40 years earlier or someone whose life he impacted, and there were plenty of those. And then Sunday we would go to Land for Church of the Wildwood, with Dusty. In 1976 when Dusty and I married we discovered this tiny little Church in Chittenden called, The Church of the Wildwood. The pastor played guitar and sang and the fellowship was small. It eventually closed so we continued our Church of the Wildwood by enjoying some Vermont Green and communing with nature and each other. Kind of like date night but it happened during the day. We would talk philosophy and botany and sometimes a bit about the spirit realm. So we all decided that it was only fitting to spend Sunday on the Land for Church of the Wildwood. On Friday, Cara, Richard, Shanni, Mike and Sammy were on the land assessing things and seeing what needed to be secured. Grover, Dusty’s dog was staying with Mike Provasoli, one of Dusty’s great friends who would visit him every Tuesday and Friday. Mike is the one who found Dusty on Tuesday. Richard suggested that Cara put her hand in the water and say goodbye to Dusty. So they both got down and put their hands in the brook and said goodbye. As they were walking away Cara got down on her knee and proposed to Richard. They caught up with the rest of the gang and shared the news. While Shanni was hugging Cara she said, “Well now I get to perform a Legitimately Illegit Ceremony”. Shannon decided awhile ago that she would start a business performing Legitimately Illegit weddings where you get your white wedding and gifts and if the marriage didn’t last you didn’t have to worry about a divorce. You might be wondering right now if this is for real and yes it is. But wait, it gets better. Remember, we are talking about the Barton’s. Somewhere between Friday afternoon and Sunday at 3pm we pulled off another Barton wedding. Cara wore my original wedding dress which was designed and made by my mother Agnes and sister in law Fredda. She looked absolutely stunning. Richard received a borrowed vest and Bolo tie from Tucker and soon discovered that he and Tucker had mutual friends from Newport. Alix, Tucker’s wife; is a photographer and provided many of the wedding shots in the YouTube video you will see soon. Prior to the wedding we all proceeded to the beach for some Dusty fellowship. Kizzi orchestrated the Church of the Wildwood with readings, music and a Lakota four directions prayer. We read some of Dusty’s poems and the audience toasted Dusty with Vermont Green. Since there was less than 24 hours to prepare for the wedding Shanni snuck off to a section of the land that had been named Bo Dock. Years earlier Dusty had opened up a section of the river where Bowen could almost safely go fishing without falling in. Hence the name Bo Dock. She sat there with her top hat on writing the words of the ceremony where she would soon marry her sister. The tension was building and the 30 or so guests in attendance were all a bit baffled with what was about to take place. It was determined that when the cannon blew (thank you Troy) people would take their seats. Ariana and Cora were the flower girls who dropped sunflower petals they carried in one of Dusty’s baskets. Brennan was the ring bearer carrying a spectacularly crafted copper woven ring designed and made by Troy. Mike Provasoli was Richard’s best man and Kizzi was Cara’s maid of honor. Grunkle Paul escorted Cara down the aisle and gave her away. (quick aside: when Shanni asked who gives this bride away, the entire audience pointed to the altar where Dusty’s hats lay and said, ”He does”). We read more of Dusty’s poems and just prior to concluding the ceremony, Grover wandered out to join the party. Shanni concluded the ceremony and the groom kissed the bride. Welcome to the Barton clan Richard. After the ceremony Carolyn spoke to me and said that was the most sensible Barton wedding she had attended, and she had attended them all. I agreed! We celebrated with many good friends but three in particular stand out for obvious reason. Our good friend Rob had just driven back from CA from the funeral of a close friend and Dan & Gabriela had just flown back that morning from Germany after a family wedding. Alix told us later that she had attended many weddings and funerals but never witnessed both by the same family on the same day. Leave it to the Barton’s. We all agreed that we could not think of a better way to honor Dusty, than by these two incredible ceremonies. He loved the land and all the good folks he had shared his humble home with. He didn’t want for much other than time with Grover, his girls (literal ones and botanical ones) and to know that he could leave a legacy. Godspeed Dusty. Attendees at the wedding who helped with before, during and after preparations & celebration. Shanni, Bowen, Reece, Kizzi, Andy, Cora, Cara, Richard, Brennan, Ariana, Troy, Arthur, Laurie, Rob, Dan, Gabriella, Tucker, Alix, Carolyn, Chloe, Cindy, Olivia, Pam, Kelly, Roy, other Arthur, Bob, John, Marina, Sam, Barb, PJ, Fireman Mike, Regan, Mike, Jay, Grover, Maverick, Bella & Fenway. Oh and Dusty & Colleen.

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Kizzi Danh added 5 photo(s) to the memorial Robert "Dusty" Barton Jr.:

September 17, 2019

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