Barton Victor Davison Jr. of LaPlata, Missouri, born on February 24, 1928, in Adair County, Missouri, passed away at his home on Friday, May 9, 2014.

A graduate of Kirksville High School, married his high school sweetheart Rosena Belle “Prather” Davison in Canton, Missouri, on February 12, 1949. The couple made their home in Adair County where they purchased their farm in 1949. The couple spent tireless hours caring for the land and livestock. Passionate about soil conservation, theirs was the first farm in the county to employ no-till soil practices utilizing equipment designed by Barton. Barton taught school at the Prairie View school in southern Adair County. He was a member of the National Farmers Organization and the Missouri Farmers Union and former board member of the Macon County Water Shed District.

Barton was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Rosena Belle “Prather” Davison, one brother, Ronald Eugene Davison in infancy, his parents, Barton Victor Davison, Sr. and Frankie Merle Miller and one grandson, James Michael Matteson.

He is survived by one son and three daughters: son Terriel and wife, Jenita Davison of LaPlata, MO, daughter, Shirley and husband, Melvin Dennis of North Glenn, CO, daughter Teresa and husband, David Matteson of Columbia, IL, and daughter Cinda and husband Carl Mitchell of LaPlata, MO; one sister Evelyn Kellison of Kirksville, MO and two sisters-in-law, Geraldine Prather of LaPlata, MO and Jean Coglianese of Macon, MO. Also surviving are nine grandchildren Charles and Trish Davison, Aaron and Alisha Mitchell, Stephanie McDonald, Audra and Brett Jackson, Joe and Jennifer Matteson, Jeremy and Shawnna Matteson, Sarah and Ryan Halstead, Ryan and Maria Matteson and Nathan Davison; fourteen great-grandchildren; and numerous well-loved nieces and nephews. Also surviving are Melvin, Minnie, John and Red, thank you, for you will always be a part of our family.

Barton was an exceedingly devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather who loved spending time with family. He was a kind-hearted man who instilled in his family the values of honesty, integrity, hard work and strength through adversity savored with joy and love. He greatly enjoyed traveling and was a history and geology enthusiast. The family well remembers countless vacations that were always interspersed with geology and history lessons. He was an avid blue grass and country music fan and spent many hours listening to his collection of albums. He made friends easily, whom he kept for life. Melvin, Minnie, John & Red, who still survive, thank you, you will always be a part of our family.

Barton has been cremated and a memorial service to honor his life will take place 5:00 p.m. Sunday (May 25, 2014) in the chapel of Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville, with Pastor John Davison officiating.

Honorary pallbearers will be Brett Jackson, Charles Davison, Aaron Mitchell, Joseph Matteson, Jeremy Matteson, Ryan Halstead, Ryan Matteson and Nathan Davison.

Expressions of sympathy in memory of Barton Davison Jr. may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. Memorials may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.