By Moses Leos III
After a lifetime of providing service to the Buda and Kyle communities, and Hays County in general, Robert Clark “Bob” Barton, the late publisher of the Hays Free Press, was posthumously named Kyle’s inaugural recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award — an award that now holds Barton’s namesake.
“Bob’s influence is part of the fabric of Kyle,” Kyle Mayor Todd Webster said in a statement. “He never backed down from a challenge and always put his time, energy and money where his heart was. He is the perfect example of what this Lifetime Achievement Award should be.”
Barton’s family, including his wife Wynette, better known as “Tutta” Barton, accepted the award at the Oct. 8 Kyle City Council meeting, which was by all accounts a full house.
Council passed a resolution by a 4-0 vote to name the award after Barton.
“[Barton] is one of the pillars of our community. Everything about his legacy will be there for the rest of us to see, hear and read about,” council woman Diane Hervol said on the dais during the meeting.
Barton, born on April 5, 1930, spent much of his life in Kyle until his passing on Jan. 19, 2013.
A graduate of Buda High School, Barton volunteered for the United States Army on two separate occasions. In between, he earned his degree from the Southwest
Texas State Teacher’s College, now known as Texas State University.
Politics and journalism were two mainstays for Barton. He served as a state representative in the 68th Texas State Legislature in 1982-1983.
Along with his duties as publisher of what is now the Hays Free Press, Barton was also an advocate for civil rights in Hays County. He helped champion the integration of Kyle schools and advocated for what is now the Hays Consolidated Independent School District (Hays CISD).
“…Bob always provided words of encouragement to many Hispanics who wanted to pursue endeavors in education, business and politics,” Mary Villanueva wrote in a letter to the council nominating Barton for the award.
As a college student in 1955, Barton and his lifelong best friend, William “Moe” Johnson, purchased the newspaper that would eventually become the Hays Free Press. Barton became known for his political commentary and lively editorials.
Johnson went on to serve as the first superintendent of Hays CISD.
Barton was also deeply involved in the community, serving on numerous committees and commissions in Kyle.
Several other of Barton’s friends also submitted letters of nomination, including
Eddy and Mary Ethridge, who originally nominated Barton for the award.
Ethridge lauded Barton’s modesty and his ability to assist the under-served.
“Bob cherished his friends, and had patience with all who might disagree, and forgave those who chose to be his enemies,” Ethridge wrote. “Not only did Bob tolerate those with differing ideals, ideals, religions or politics from his, he encouraged them.”
