Barbara Jean Gorton

Barbara Jean Gorton died on August 6, 2025 at her home in Muskogee, Oklahoma.

She was born in Muskogee, Oklahoma on June 16, 1932 to Fredrick Washington Ruttencutter and Clara Juanita Baughman. She never met her real father, Fred Ruttencutter. He died in Mexico before Barbara turned one year old. Clara was remarried to Maurice Francis Brock, who Barbara came to know as her dad. She started calling herself Barbara Brock, which led to some legal issues later in life when her marriage license listed the name Brock. There was no birth certificate with that name. Her mother Clara, and her aunt, Ella Mae Johnston (nee Baughman) had to hire a lawyer to correct this situation. She met and married Frank R Gorton on April 21, 1950. She died in the house Frank had built himself for them. In her young adult life Barbara worked for Bob Cathey Heat and Air in Muskogee and later worked for approximately 10 years with Hancock Fabric Company in Muskogee. She attended church at Southeast Baptist Church of Muskogee

Barbara is survived by three sons, David O Gorton and wife Robin of Muskogee, Stephen (Steve) A Gorton and wife Mary Jane of Norman, OK, and Michael G Gorton of Muskogee; a sister, Lisa Schorr née Baughman and John Schorr; also survived by three granddaughters, Sarah E Gorton of Muskogee, Laura Thompson and husband Bryan of Edmond, OK, and Ester B Mish of Pennsylvania; two grandsons, James G. (Jim) Gorton and Oklahoma City and John R Gorton and wife Rebecca of Edmond, OK. She is also survived by 12 great grandchildren: Xander Brock, Joshua H Thompson, Evan R Gorton, Johathan Mish, Darien Mish, Andrew Mish, Connie Gonzalez (nee Mish) and Gus Gonzalez, Malichi Mish, Nathan Mish, Elizabeth Mish, and Zoe Mish. She is also survived by 5 great great grandchildren: Laine Mish, Assuma Mish, Liam Mish, Elias Mish, and Leon Mish; and a step grandson,Spencer Thompson.

She was preceded in death by her father, Fredrick W. Ruttencutter, her step father, Maurice Francis Brock; her mother, Clara Juanita Brock (nee Baughman/Ruttencutter), her husband of 72 years, Frank Romie Gorton; her brothers, Bert Brock and Doug Brock; her sister, Linda Lou Stockman (nee Brock), and her grandson, Joshua Robert Gorton.

Most of all Barbara was a loving and attentive daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother and she will be missed by the many people to knew and loved her. Barbara was an accomplished seamstress. She loved to sew, quilt and knit. She also grew African violets as a member of the African Violet Association and won multiple awards while showing her plants.

Following cremation, a memorial service for Barbara will be held on Friday August 22, 2025 at 1:00pm in the mausoleum of Memorial Park Cemetery in Muskogee with Steve Gorton officiating.
Arrangements are under the direction of McElyea & Owens Funeral Group of Shawnee.

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