Memorial services for Zachary and Katherine (Ford) Barton will be conducted at 10 a.m. Saturday, October 3, 2026, at Field Street Baptist Church in Cleburne, Texas.

Katie and Zach Barton, both 39, of Arlington, Texas, passed away on September 5, 2026, following a tragic automobile accident near Hillsboro, Texas.

Katie was born November 24, 1986, in Arlington, Texas, and spent her teenage years growing up in Cleburne. A 2005 graduate of Cleburne High School, she went on to attend Texas State University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in communications in 2009. Katie remained a proud Texas State Bobcat throughout her life.

Zach was born August 6, 1987, in Dallas, Texas. He lived in Dallas until 1997, when his family moved to Allen. A 2005 graduate of Allen High School, Zach attended West Texas A&M University, where he was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity and earned his bachelor’s degree in marketing in 2010.

Bowling would become an important part of both Katie and Zach’s lives. Zach spent 14 years with the United States Bowling Congress (USBC) in Arlington, serving as the Senior Manager of Youth Championship Events. His career took him across the country, where he worked with bowling centers to build and strengthen youth programs, led local and national youth tournaments, and served as an ambassador for the sport he loved. Katie also spent seven years with USBC, working with membership and tournaments and traveling internationally with the US National Bowling teams. Most recently Katie continued within sports marketing at Learfield, where she managed digital and social projects for over one hundred different collegiate athletic programs across the country.

But bowling gave Katie and Zach something much greater than careers. It brought them to each other. They met at the International Bowling Campus, and it did not take Katie long to decide where things were headed. Shortly into their relationship, while riding home from a concert with Zach’s sister, Holly, Katie announced that she was going to marry him.

“He might not know it yet, but he will.”

Katie was right.

They married at the Little Vegas Chapel in Las Vegas on September 1, 2019, and made their home together in Arlington.

Anyone who knew Zach and Katie knew how much they loved their life together. They shared a love of travel, concerts, sporting events, and especially racing, serving as brand ambassadors for the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Racing Series and catching races whenever and wherever they could. They explored the country, collected friends along the way, and rarely passed up an opportunity for a new adventure.

But their greatest adventure was raising Natalie and Samantha.

Zach had been practicing being a “girl dad” his whole life. He grew up surrounded by his sister’s dance studio and drill team practices and, years later, was the uncle who rarely missed his niece’s recitals or birthday parties. When Natalie and Samantha came along, he embraced the role completely.

Together, Zach and Katie filled their girls’ childhood with experiences and adventure – dance classes, and Girl Scouts, baseball games and racetracks, zoos and museums, amusement parks, road trips, and ordinary days made special because they were together. When Zach’s work took him on the road, Katie and the girls often went “chasing Daddy,” turning work trips into family memories.

Katie loved movies, travel, live music - especially Texas and Red Dirt country – baseball, and racing. She was a loyal Texas Rangers and Texas State Bobcats fan and a lifelong Oklahoma Sooners fan. Loving and loyal with a dry sense of humor, Katie treasured her family and the friendships she carried through every chapter of her life. She loved making memories with the people who mattered most to her and was always willing to show up for the people she loved.

Zach was funny, genuine, outgoing, and the kind of person who never met a stranger. He loved sports, racing, music, bowling, and being surrounded by family and friends. Whether through his work with youth bowling or simply in everyday life, Zach had a natural ability to connect with people. He was quick to lend a hand, easy to laugh with, deeply loyal, and fiercely competitive at a Barton family game night.

Katie’s faith was an important part of her story. She grew up Catholic and later attended Field Street Baptist Church in her hometown of Cleburne, where their family and friends will gather to remember and celebrate their lives.

Katie and Zach leave behind their beloved daughters, Natalie Claire and Samantha Raye.

They also leave behind Elmo, Moose, and Knoxville “Knox,” their much-loved dogs and an important part of the home and family Katie and Zach created together.

Katie is survived by her parents; father John Ford (Elizabeth) of Cleburne, mother Raechel Thies (Michael) of Little Elm; her sister, Kristina Strong of Paradise; her grandmother, Margie Harris of Joshua; her nephews, Parker Strong and Owen Strong; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and extended family members.

Zach is survived by his father, Brock Barton of Arlington; his sister and brother-in-law, Holly and Larry McLoda of Allen; his niece, Charlotte McLoda; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and extended family members.

Zach was preceded in death by his mother, Virginia Barton, on June 17, 2026.

A memorial service celebrating Katie and Zach’s lives will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at Field Street Baptist Church, 201 N. Field St., Cleburne, Texas 76033, officiated by Pastor John Hall.

Zach and Katie’s greatest legacy is Natalie and Samantha, who will carry their parents’ love with them through every milestone, adventure, and ordinary day still to come. Surrounded by the family and friends who loved Zach and Katie, their girls will continue to grow knowing just how deeply they were loved.