Joe Burton, 86, retired State Senator, founder of the Joe Burton Co., a native Atlantan, and a longtime resident of DeKalb County died Tuesday, September 29, 2009. Son of the late Louis and Lillian Stroupe Burton, he was a graduate of Commercial High. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1942 and was the lead navigator of his division, the 310 Bomb group, in the European Theatre. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Europe-Africa-Middle East ribbon. After the war he graduated from GA Tech in 1949 obtaining a BS in Industrial Management. He married the love of his life, Bessie Lucille Walraven on April 15, 1950. He was recalled back into the Air force during the Korean Conflict. Upon returning home once again from defending his country, he held various sales positions and in 1963 formed the Joe Burton Co., a building specialty sales company. He was first elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 1972 serving ten years. And then was elected to the State Senate in 1982 serving 20 years. He served on the Advisory Boards of the Salvation Army, Metro Youth Council, Goodwill Industries, Friends of Disabled Adults and Children, Birthright International, BPOE, DeKalb County PTA Council, and was a tireless supporter of the United Way and Red Cross. He was also a Little League Coach and Youth Counselor. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Virginia Louise “Ginny” Burton. Surviving are his wife of 59 years, Bessie W. Burton; daughters and sons-in-law, Patricia and Hunter Wood of Peachtree City, Carolyn and Allen Thomas of Rydal; son and daughter-in-law, Lewis Burton and Denise Nickerson of Lawrenceville; grandchildren, Rebecca Wood, Kerry Wood, Sunshine Thomas, and Belle Thomas. Funeral services will be held Friday, October 2 at 2 P.M. at Oak Grove United Methodist Church where Senator Burton was a longtime member. Rev. Glenn Ethridge will officiate. The Senator will lie in repose at the church from 1 p.m. until the hour of service. Interment will follow at Floral Hills Memory Gardens with military honors. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Salvation Army, PO Box 930188, Norcross, GA 30003 or one of the Senator’s favorite charities. Friends are invited to visit with the family, Thursday evening from 6 until 8 p.m. at A. S. Turner & Sons, 404-292-1551. Express tributes to the family by visiting www.asturner.com.
