John S. Burton Sr., avid conservationist
John S. Burton Sr., 80, of Lewes passed away Monday, May 31, 2021, at Beebe Healthcare in Lewes. He was born May 25, 1941, in Lewes, son of the late Samuel J. and Amelia Ann Dutton Burton. He was also preceded in death by his wife Joan Ritter Burton in 2018; his sisters, Helen, Violet and Betty, and brothers Bob and Fred.
A precocious child, he lived and grew up in and around the City of Rehoboth Beach. He loved to dance at the local dance halls and explore new adventures and endeavors to earn spending money. In the late ‘50s he was a guitarist with the Hurricanes band which he and some friends created. He also honorably served in the Army National Guard Reserves.
Mr. Burton retired as a control room technician after 20 years of service from Delmarva Power & Light, Millsboro. An entrepreneur at heart, he and his wife developed and operated many business ventures, including Edgewater Trailer Park, a plumbing business, a well-drilling business, developments known as John Burton Manor and William Ritter Manor, and the Long Neck Shopping Plaza.
He was an avid hunter, fisherman and conservationist, and helped to install many wood duck boxes for their habitation. His love for hunting waterfowl developed into his support of the Delta Waterfowl Association. He helped to develop waterfowl hunting programs locally that benefitted veterans, youth, Boy Scouts, and the Wounded Warrior Project.
His many memberships included the Elks and Moose lodges of Lewes; the Improved Order of Redmen where he had served as local, state and national president, and assisted in fundraising of over $1 million for their charity in Alzheimer’s research. He was extremely proud of the moment when he represented the order as he presented a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Washington, D.C., in 2002. He and his wife traveled the U.S. to many meeting halls in as many states as possible between Delaware and California.
He was a devoted member of the Lewes Fire Department, serving as a fire policeman and building program chairman. He also was currently serving his third term of appointment to the Delaware Coastal Zone Industrial Control Board by Governors Markell and Carney.
Following in his mother’s footsteps, he was a familiar face at the Harrington Fair for over 40 years, helping to support the FFA, 4-H and the Antique Tractor Club. No one was a stranger to his camper, which could be found in the center of action at the fairgrounds.
His survivors include his children: John S. Burton Jr. (Tammy) and Sharon Drain (fiancé Michael Hazzard) of Lewes; his grandchildren: Stacey Pavlik (Connor) of Lewes, Cherish Drain (fiancé William Stewart) of Washington D.C., Samantha Moore (Taylor), John W.R. Burton (Taylor), all of Lewes; his great-grandchildren: Harrison and Evelyn Pavlik and Wyatt, Sawyer and Waylon Moore; a dear friend, Marge Burton; his sisters: Charlotte McDaniel and Ellen Lynch (Rick); his brothers-in-law: Preston Nailor and Dan Simpson (June); and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services with Fireman’s Honors will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, June 5, at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes. Viewing will be from 10 to 11 a.m. at the funeral home. A walk-through viewing will also be held from 7:30 to 9 p.m., Friday, June 4, at the funeral home.
Burial will follow the services at the Ritter Family Cemetery, Beaver Dam Road, Harbeson.
The services may also be viewed via livestream at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/permalink/9990169/LTWebcast.
Social distancing is still being observed, and masks are required during any aspect of the funeral services and burial.
Memorial contributions may be made to Lewes Volunteer Fire Department Inc., PO Box 225, Lewes, DE 19958; or the Delta Waterfowl Association, 1412 Basin Ave., Bismarck, ND 58504.
Visit Mr. Burton's Life Memorial webpage and sign his online guest book at parsellfuneralhomes.com.
