Lee Roy Barta died April 25, 2018 from a brave battle with heart disease. He was born to Bohumil and Anastasia [Annie] Steinocher Barta on July 4, 1938 in La Grange, Texas.  Lee was known as "Mr. Tomato Man" of Barta's Tomatoes. He grew tomatoes for 50 years. People came from all over to buy his tomatoes.  Lee worked for Maresh Water well service early in his life. Then he worked for the Texas Department of Transportation for 15 years in Dewitt County. He got the privilege to work for the Cuero Post Office and retired February 2005 after 30 years of service.  Lee served his country with the United States Air Force as an air controller from 1956 to 1960 at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. He entered the service at age 16 and said he got out and still couldn't buy a beer.  Lee met his wife, Patricia Bodden Barta, at a Garfield's May feast. They dated 6 weeks and got married on Father's Day, June 17, 1973. This year they would have celebrated their 45th anniversary.  Lee and Patricia had a great marriage. They traveled to Europe, the Caribbean, and Alaska. They were blessed with many adventures in the years they were able to travel together.

He is survived by his wife, Pat; son, James Barta; daughters, Sheila Arnold and husband, Ricky, and Kelly O'Brien; grandchildren, Luke, Michael, and Jared Barta, Derek and Travis Noack, Matthew and Megan Stall, Ben and Stacey Stall, Theodore and Erin Stall, and Annie and Ryan McGregor; great grandchildren, Amelia and Charles Stall and William Stall; mother-in-law, Margie Bodden;  brothers-in-laws, Mark and wife, Jackie, Bodden, Kevin and wife, Beverly, Bodden, John and wife, Janice Bodden III; step-grand children, Anthony and Jennifer Arnold, Ashley Arnold, Alden, Asher, and Adalynn Arnold; nieces and nephew, Rodney and wife, Stacy Barta; Loretta and husband, Pat Weaver, and Vicki Miller and their children; plus many more nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Angela Stall; grandchildren Abraham and Sarah Barta; brother, Lawrence Barta; and his father-in-law, J. G. Bodden, Jr.

The visitation will be held Sunday, April 29, 2018 at Freund Funeral Home from 3-5 p.m. with the Rosary being prayed at 4:30 p.m. The funeral service will be held Monday, April 30, 2018 at St. Michael's Catholic Church at 10 a.m. with Reverend Monsignor John Peters. Immediately following the service everyone will be invited to the St. Michael's Fellowship Hall for a time of food and fellowship.  The burial will take place at St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery in Moulton at 1 p.m.

Pallbearers will include Jared Barta, Michael Barta, Luke Barta, Matthew Stall, Theodore Stall, and Benjamin Stall. Honorary pallbearers will include Derek Noack, Travis Noack, Annie McGregor, Mike Gohmert, Darrel Sager, Tommy Shelton and Lee Haun.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association or to the donor's choice.

Lee will be missed by a lot of his close friends.

Lee and I  would like to thank everyone for their prayers and concerns  in the past years that Lee was sick. Your friendships meant a lot to us.