George Burton

GEORGE M. BURTON George M. Burton was born on November 6, 1943 as the first-born child and son to George T. Burton and Clara I. Christensen-Burton at the family home in Linn Creek, MO and went to be with the Lord on March 23, 2015. Just after George turned 4 years old, his sister Ruth was born, Ruth was then followed by his brother Bryant, then brother Doug and finally his sister Rhonda. The Burton family was blessed by 5 children in total. George and his brothers and sisters grew up in the Lake area and attended the local schools. George graduated from Camdenton High School in 1961. While in high school George played basket ball and other sports. Around the time George turned 21, he married and from that union two children were born: Cassandra Lea (“Cassy”) on November 14, 1965 and George Mathais Burton II (“Matt”) on May 24, 1969. George loved being outdoors and growing up at the Lake contributed to his excellent hunting and fishing skills. During George’s early years he worked for the Missouri Department of Conservation as a Resource Forester. While working with the Conservation Department, George penned a short story about nature that was published in the Conservationist Magazine. George loved to hunt and spent many a cold Missouri winter mornings sitting quietly in the woods with his father, brothers and son waiting for that perfect 10 point buck to cross his path. While he never got that 10 point buck, he certainly brought home many 7, 8 and 9 point racks over his lifetime. George was an avid fisherman and knew the Lake like the back of his hand. He would spend time with his father and brothers setting trot lines around the Linn Creek area of the Lake. Although George liked catching crappie and other fish, he really loved the thrill and challenge of catching that perfect big mouth bass. George loved bass fishing so much that in 1977 he and a few of his buddies created the Camden County Bassr’s fishing club. The CC Bassr’s hosted many fishing tournaments throughout the years and quite often George won those tournaments. His fishing skills are legendary and not many could keep up with George and his tackle box. George was the President of the CC Bassr’s for 10 years spanning 1977 to 1987. 1977 was a good year for George because on April 2, 1977 George married the love of his life, Pauline Golden. George and Pauline were married in an intimate ceremony in Linn Creek Baptist Church attended by Pauline’s brother and sister in law, Denver and Mary Ann Golden. While the wedding ceremony was a small one, the love George and Pauline had for each other was not. George and Pauline were married nearly 38 years but their love for each will live on forever. George and Pauline’s love story is an inspiration for many, and during their time on this earth together they raised George’s two kids, cared for Pauline’s elderly mother and disabled sister. George and Pauline were soul mates and the strength of their love for each other and the Lord served them well and helped them through good times and tough. Many people may not know this but George was an avid reader and lover of learning. When he was around 14 years old he decided that he wanted to become more knowledgeable so he decided to read the encyclopedia. And he did. From cover to cover. George loved watching learning and trivia channels on TV. He really enjoyed watching the History Channel and playing Jeopardy! from his living room recliner. George was pretty good at Jeopardy too. He soaked information in like a sponge and could converse intelligently about most any subject. George loved to share and teach his learnings with others. One of George’s most precious gifts was his ability to teach. As such, he loved teaching the adult Sunday School classes at church and hosting and teaching bible study classes at the family home. George was a founding member of the Graceland Church and remained a member until the end of this life. George held many roles during his lifetime. He worked as a salesman, in construction, as a cook, a janitorial engineer and a finally as a Production Coordinator at Electrovert. George retired from Electrovert in 2005 whereupon he promptly began perfecting his golf game, which he had begun to play in the early 2000s. George spent some time working at the pro shop of the Lake Valley Golf Club just so he could spend more time at the course. George M. (as his family fondly called him) lived a very full and rich life. George was (and is) greatly loved by many in this community. George’s legacy is the richness of a life well lived and full of love not only for his wife, but fellow man and the Lord Jesus Christ. George is survived by his wife Pauline, his children Cassy Burton-Haynes and Matt Burton, father George T. Burton, brothers Bryant Burton and Doug Burton, sisters Ruth Corsentino and Rhonda Barry. George is also survived by his 4 grandchildren, Richard Haynes, Jake Burton, David Haynes and Jessica Burton, numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and a cute little dog named Maddie. The entire Burton family would like to extend their thanks and gratitude to all of George and Pauline’s friends, colleagues and associates for the love, support and prayers extended to the family during the past few years. The love and kindness will not be forgotten, and neither will George. Memorial services for George M. Burton will be held 7:00 p.m., Friday, April 10, 2015 at Graceland Church, Camdenton, Missouri. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. till time of service. Memorial donations may be made to Regional Hospice or Blue Moon Sanctuary. They may be left at the funeral home or at Graceland Church the evening of the service. Allee-Holman-Howe Funeral Home is assisting the family with their cremation arrangements.