John A. Burton, 86, died on Aug. 20, 2015, from injuries he suffered in an auto accident. He would have turned 87 and celebrated his wedding anniversary in a few days. His childhood and early adulthood was spent in Lakeland. He eventually married Mary Jenkins, moved to Rochester, New York and retired after 30 years as a construction foreman. After being widowed, he moved back to Lakeland in 1998 and enjoyed playing golf year round, walking in the parks, playing dominoes with his brothers, socializing with old and new friends, and attending his local Church of God. He was preceded in death by his siblings: Willie, Andrew, Ruth, Juanita, Mary Ella and Gertrude. He leaves to mourn his passing: wife, LaFrancine; sons, Eugene (VA), Peter and Kevin (N.Y.); daughters, Marilyn Foster (Miami), Brenda English and Bonnie Williams (N.Y.); sister, Lillian Foster (N.Y.); a sister-in-law, Teresa Burton (Bartow); stepchildren David Dixon and Jayda Kirkland (Lakeland); many grand and great-grandchildren; cousins, nieces and nephews; neighbors; church members; longtime friend, Jimmie Smith, who provided many years of physical and emotional support, especially as John's dementia worsened; and a grandson, Michael Young (GA), who remained bedside during John's final hours.
John A. Burton, 86, died on Aug. 20, 2015, from injuries he suffered in an auto accident. He would have turned 87 and celebrated his wedding anniversary in a few days. His childhood and early adulthood was spent in Lakeland. He eventually married Mary Jenkins, moved to Rochester, New York and retired after 30 years as a construction foreman. After being widowed, he moved back to Lakeland in 1998 and enjoyed playing golf year round, walking in the parks, playing dominoes with his brothers, socializing with old and new friends, and attending his local Church of God. He was preceded in death by his siblings: Willie, Andrew, Ruth, Juanita, Mary Ella and Gertrude. He leaves to mourn his passing: wife, LaFrancine; sons, Eugene (VA), Peter and Kevin (N.Y.); daughters, Marilyn Foster (Miami), Brenda English and Bonnie Williams (N.Y.); sister, Lillian Foster (N.Y.); a sister-in-law, Teresa Burton (Bartow); stepchildren David Dixon and Jayda Kirkland (Lakeland); many grand and great-grandchildren; cousins, nieces and nephews; neighbors; church members; longtime friend, Jimmie Smith, who provided many years of physical and emotional support, especially as John's dementia worsened; and a grandson, Michael Young (GA), who remained bedside during John's final hours.
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