BY CHRISTOPHER LEEMASTER AND NEAL PUTNAM
A non-religious memorial service honoring the life of Jay Robert Barton will be held Monday, July 1 at 2 p.m. in the Fireside Room at the Jolly Roger Restaurant, 1900 N. Harbor Dr., in Oceanside.
Jay, a well-spoken, generous, humorous, passionate and red-haired handsome man, died June 5 of meningitis in his Escondido home. He was 57.
He is survived by his mother, Josephine Barton, of Zanesville, Ohio, his brothers Chuck and Jim, his sister Molly, also of Ohio, and dozens of friends including Christopher LeeMaster who took care of Jay and his many pets when he was in and out of the hospital.
He was preceded in death from his partner, Roger Buckhaus, of Palm Springs, in 2010, and his father, Thomas Barton. He is also survived by his two French Poodles, a black Labrador, three Papillon dogs, two cats, a love bird, a turtle and multiple fish which have been adopted to good homes.
Jay worked for several studios and ad agencies over the years and met two of his favorite actresses, Bette Davis and Elizabeth Taylor. He was a former human resources director at Universal Studios and later went on to work in computer technology with Hewlett Packard.
Jay’s ashes will be spread in Oceanside Harbor following the gathering celebrating his life. His good friend, Art Bunce, will give a eulogy, and a short video production will be played. There will be light refreshments and music.
Jay previously lived in North Park, Palm Springs, Studio City and Woodland Hills. He was a member of Bears San Diego.
For more information, please call Christopher at (760) 609-4569, or Art at (760) 807-3250.
