Arnold George Barton

Arnold "Arnie" George Barton passed peacefully at home in Vancouver, Washington on February9, 2024 at age 91. Arnie was born in Lewiston, Idaho, to Duley "Doc" Arnold and Helen Ruth(Aldrich) Barton on March 10, 1932. Arnie graduated from Tekoa High School and then attendedWashington State University where he met his future wife, Karen Ann Durkee. After graduatingwith a Bachelor of Architectural Engineering, Arnie and Karen married in Portland, Oregon onJune 12, 1955.They spent their early married years in Texas and North Carolina while Arnie was a jet fighterpilot in the United States Air Force. While in Texas, their son, Scott, was born. Having achievedthe rank of Captain, Arnie left active duty and the family moved to Portland, Oregon, where theirfirst daughter, Stephanie, was born. During this time, Arnie worked as an architect and studiedNorwegian in preparation for a year of living and working in Oslo, Norway, and traveling inEurope. Upon returning to the States, the family moved to Spokane, Washington, where theirsecond daughter, Leslie, completed the family of five.He worked for Whitehouse, Price, DeNeff, gaining more architectural experience until 1964 whenhe and his partners, William DeNeff and Edward Deeble, Jr., formed their own firm, DeNeff,Deeble, Barton Associates, Architects and Planners. Over the course of a highly successful career,Arnie designed a variety of buildings including community hospitals, nursing homes, medicaloffices, banks; educational facilities for several Community Colleges and for Washington StateUniversity in Pullman; and multiple additions and remodels for the Hollister- Stier Laboratory.Over the years, Arnie and Karen continued their love of travel, visiting over 30 countries andmaking friends with fellow travelers and locals, and maintaining those friendships throughout theyears. The Bartons also hosted numerous foreign exchange students from around the world, manyof whom became family friends, remaining in contact more than 50 years after their firsthomestays. Arnie enjoyed many different hobbies from making stained glass and jewelry tobuilding a sailboat and a harpsichord.After calling Spokane home for 40 years, Arnie retired and moved with Karen to Vancouver,Washington. There they formed new friendships with neighbors and fellow members of the localTai Chi group that they joined and participated in for many years. They also continued to exploretheir lifelong love of art and music by attending local musical productions and as seasonsubscribers to both the Seattle and Portland Operas.Arnie was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Terrence "Terry" Conway Barton, and hisson, Scott. Arnie is survived by his wife, Karen, daughters Stephanie Barton (Andrew Dittman)and Leslie Barton Dolence, grandchildren Oleta Barton, Jesse (Janae) Barton, Adrienne Dittman,Coulter Dittman, Xaavan Dolence, Xaalan Dolence and Xaaran Dolence, and great-grandchildrenTaylor Hinshaw, Jaxon Barton, Jace Barton, Jensen Barton, Mabel Morgan, and Margo Morgan.

Arnold George Barton

March 10, 1932 - February 9, 2024