Thomas Burton (1942-2020)

BURTON

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 5/5/2020 at 09:56:26

Tom's life journey began in Davenport, IA on December 15, 1942. His parents were the late Jackson & Lucille Burton. After moving to Cedar Rapids, he attended grade school at St Matthew Elementary School. Then he attended Campion High School in Prairie du Chien, WI and Regis High School, in Cedar Rapids, where he graduated in 1961. He attended college at St. Ambrose in Davenport, IA and William Penn College in Oskaloosa, IA. Tom and Diana Metzger were married on March 3, 1973 and had 3 children. At the time of his passing, Tom and Diana were living in Great Falls, MT.

Tom's interest in travel & transportation propelled him through life. Some of these adventures included working on a railroad during his college summers, collecting & restoring Model A Fords, participating in the Civil Air Patrol, as well as obtaining his private pilot's license for single engine planes. Tom's initial travels began during his college years. A keen interest in photography led to his first travel industry job of capturing beautiful photographs for publication in Olsen travel catalogues. Tom then transitioned to managing travel agencies including AAA Travel offices in the states of WI, MN, CO and MT. During that time, he relished the opportunity to visit numerous countries. Tom's spirit of adventure inspired his children to appreciate traveling, as well as instilling a strong interest in nature through gardening, camping, hiking, and scuba diving.

He was an ardent Catholic all of his life. He recited the rosary frequently and was devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary. He engaged in volunteer work at the various places he lived. At the Seton House in Denver, he visited and helped with homeless men with AIDS. This was one of St. Theresa’s Missions. In Great Falls, he drove a bus for the elderly and handicapped to attend Mass at Holy Spirit Catholic Parish and participated in the St. Vincent De Paul prison ministry. To reflect on his faith and God, he immensely enjoyed visiting the Sacred Heart Jesuit Retreat House.

Though he persevered through Lymphoma, he was later diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in 2010. He succumbed to that disease and embarked on his final journey to Eternity on February 19, 2020. He is woefully missed by his loving wife, Diana; his 3 children: Julie Baron (Keith), Andrew Burton, & Holly Burton of Denver, CO; his 3-yr-old granddaughter, Lillianna Baron; his sister, Karen Suzanne Buck (Alan) of Marion, IA; his sister-in-law, Madonna Marine (Mike) of Rolfe, IA; and five nieces and nephews.

A Mass celebrating his life will be held at St. Matthew Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids, IA, on Friday, February 28 at 12 noon. His burial in St. Joseph Cemetery will take place at 3:00 p.m. after a luncheon in the church hall. Schnider Funeral Home in Great Falls, MT, and Cedar Memorial Funeral Home of Cedar Rapids, IA, are handling the arrangements.