Ira Earl "Boots" Barto

Ira Earl "Boots" Barto, 90, resident of Cottonwood, Arizona passed away at home, on Saturday, January 20, 2007. Boots was born in Melrose, New Mexico, in the days of the covered wagon, and lived until the space age. He was the youngest of six children born to George and Oda Gustavo (Laney) Barto. As a youngster, he moved to Riverside, California with his family, where he grew up and graduated from Riverside Polytechnic High School. Following high school, being skilled as a handyman, he worked as a cowhand and farmhand until World War II, at which time, he went into the construction industry. In July of 1939 he met and married the love of his life, LaVersa M. McKean. After the war, they bought some acreage in Safford, Ariozna, where they and their first two sons, Gary and Ron, tried farming for awhile. When they moved back to California, Boots sold washing machines for his brother, Carl, for several years. When his youngest son, Ray, was in High School, Boots finally found his "nitch" when he became a camp manager for the Mountain View United Methodist Church. At the Mingus Methodist Church Camp on top of Mingus Mountain, he was well known by thousands of campers as "Mr. Boots". He took his retirement in 1980. During his life, Boots was also an accomplished hiker, a writer of two books, a mentor and friend to many, who also enjoyed camping, remodeling, and attending church. Most of all, he was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. Boots is preceded in death by his parents; and all six of his siblings. He leaves behind his wife of 67 ½ years, LaVersa Barto of Cottonwood; his three sons, Gary, who is serving in the U.S. Navy, Ron and his wife, K.J. of California, and Ray with his wife, Mary of Arizona; 8 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-granddaughter; as well as, his nephew, Dwight Davis of California and his niece, Shirley Alexander of New Mexico. A Memorial Service, held in Boots' honor, will be held Saturday, January 27, 2007 at 4:00pm at the Mountain View United Methodist Church, where he was a very loyal member for many years. Because he so loved his church family, and the position in which he served, contributions may be sent to: the United Methodist Church, c/o Youth Fund for Camping, 901 S. 12th Street, Cottonwood, Arizona 86326. An online guestbook is available at www.westcottfuneralhome.com