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Ted Juan Burton, age 88, of Melbourne, FL, formerly of Monticello, passed away in the early morning hours on Friday, November 13, 2020, with his two children at his bedside. He was born to the late Silas Obie Burton and Eloise Sawyer Burton on August 30, 1932 in Monticello, AR.
As a child he was always very inquisitive and taking things apart and putting them back together. This trait proved to be very important to his success in life. Ted entered the military in 1950 and worked in several different areas from vehicle maintenance to radar maintenance. One very exciting part of his career was when he was stationed at Columbus Air Force Base in Columbus, MS as the Assistant Bombing Navigation Shop Chief. During his time at this base, he participated in the Strategic Air Command Bombing Competition and received the Air Force Commendation Medal. The team won the Bombing Competition against other teams including teams from Britain, France, and other countries. This was a tremendous achievement for Ted as well as for the United States Air Force. Ted was then able to select his next area of work and chose to work on a Black Operations project known as SR71, a spy plane which is still the fastest and highest flying aircraft ever and has the ability to radar the ground below it to supply much needed data to the Air Force.
After he retired from the Air Force in 1971, his goal was to return to Monticello and open a gun shop and quick stop. Upon returning to Monticello, he first remodeled his house and then began T&L Quick Stop. He loved guns and became well known as being a great gunsmith. His knowledge of guns and ammunition was amazing. He loved to deer hunt and help others by fixing broken items brought to him. He could build and fix just about anything. He was a member of the local Retired Military Group.
Ted was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Lucille Burton; his parents; and his brother, Doyle Burton. He leaves behind to cherish his memory his children, Gail Ann Burton of Searcy and Dale Burton and wife Sandra Gail of Melbourne, FL; one brother, Billy Burton; his three grandchildren, Christina Burton Withers and husband Jed of Santa Rosa Beach, FL, Brianna Burton Rizer and husband Cale of Saint Cloud, FL and Jeremiah Burton of California; his three great grandchildren, Noah, Addison and Vivian Withers of Santa Rosa Beach, FL and one brother, Billy Burton of Warren.
Graveside service will be 1:00 p.m. Sunday, November 22, 2020, at Oakland Cemetery in Monticello, AR. Covid-19 guidelines will be followed. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Hospital or the Oakland Cemetery Association. Online guestbook at www.stephensondearman.com.
As a child he was always very inquisitive and taking things apart and putting them back together. This trait proved to be very important to his success in life. Ted entered the military in 1950 and worked in several different areas from vehicle maintenance to radar maintenance. One very exciting part of his career was when he was stationed at Columbus Air Force Base in Columbus, MS as the Assistant Bombing Navigation Shop Chief. During his time at this base, he participated in the Strategic Air Command Bombing Competition and received the Air Force Commendation Medal. The team won the Bombing Competition against other teams including teams from Britain, France, and other countries. This was a tremendous achievement for Ted as well as for the United States Air Force. Ted was then able to select his next area of work and chose to work on a Black Operations project known as SR71, a spy plane which is still the fastest and highest flying aircraft ever and has the ability to radar the ground below it to supply much needed data to the Air Force.
After he retired from the Air Force in 1971, his goal was to return to Monticello and open a gun shop and quick stop. Upon returning to Monticello, he first remodeled his house and then began T&L Quick Stop. He loved guns and became well known as being a great gunsmith. His knowledge of guns and ammunition was amazing. He loved to deer hunt and help others by fixing broken items brought to him. He could build and fix just about anything. He was a member of the local Retired Military Group.
Ted was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Lucille Burton; his parents; and his brother, Doyle Burton. He leaves behind to cherish his memory his children, Gail Ann Burton of Searcy and Dale Burton and wife Sandra Gail of Melbourne, FL; one brother, Billy Burton; his three grandchildren, Christina Burton Withers and husband Jed of Santa Rosa Beach, FL, Brianna Burton Rizer and husband Cale of Saint Cloud, FL and Jeremiah Burton of California; his three great grandchildren, Noah, Addison and Vivian Withers of Santa Rosa Beach, FL and one brother, Billy Burton of Warren.
Graveside service will be 1:00 p.m. Sunday, November 22, 2020, at Oakland Cemetery in Monticello, AR. Covid-19 guidelines will be followed. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Hospital or the Oakland Cemetery Association. Online guestbook at www.stephensondearman.com.