Charles Barton has been fixing things and empowering others to do so for a long time. Inspired by watching his older brother repair cars during his childhood in New Orleans, Charlie was determined to learn to fix things himself. He succeeded. He worked at Tinker Air Force base as an aircraft mechanic and has held his HVAC contractor license in Oklahoma for 35 years.
“Dad can fix anything”
A man who balances service with the heart of a teacher, he has been teaching these skills to the next generation for forty years and counting. Charlie’s children remember tagging along with him to repair HVAC systems, regale one another with stories of home remodeling projects, and reminisce about learning to change tires and oil on their own cars. “Dad can fix anything,” is the most frequently quoted line in the Barton household.
Charles has the heart of a teacher. He taught at Destiny Christian school for five years, leads Sunday school classes each week at his church, and mentors young men in an outdoors skills and character building program. He is also a licensed minister with the Assemblies of God.
Charles met Debbie, his wife of 43 years, when they were both attending Southwestern Assemblies of God University in Waxahachie, Texas. After graduation, they relocated to the Del City area where they raised and homeschooled their eight children and now enjoy hosting their eighteen grandchildren.
Charles is known in his community for his public service, his family values, and his empathy. He has experienced many of the struggles common to many Americans relate to: layoffs, economic hardship, parenting, as well as the challenges of self-employment. As a state senator, Charles will truly represent the needs and concerns of his constituents with understanding and determination.