Donald H. Burton, 97, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, July 26, 2022 at Main Street Manor of Russell.
Donald was born June 2, 1925 in Hays, Kansas. He was the son of Harold N. and Helen M. (Truan) Burton. They lived in Hays and moved to Russell when he started school. He graduated from Russell High School in 1943.
Donald served his country in the U.S. Army Air Corp from 1943 to 1945. He was a Bombardier Navigator and a Flying Warrant Officer. After his tour of duty, he returned to Kansas and attended Kansas University School of Pharmacy from which he graduated in 1952.
Donald was united in marriage to Jaclyn Louise Lewis on August 29, 1949 in Russell. This union was blessed with a son, Hal. They lived in Russell for a few years before moving to Beloit, Kansas in 1955. Then in 1959 they moved to Great Bend, Kansas. In 1967 they purchased a pharmacy in Russell and operated Burton Pharmacy until it’s closing in 1990.
Donald was a Pharmacist in Russell, Beloit and Great Bend. In his later career he served as a relief pharmacist in a dozen Central and Western Kansas towns. He received an Award for over 60 years in Pharmacy from the Kansas Board of Pharmacy. He enjoyed collecting jazz records, tending his flower garden and working and carving of wood.
Donald’s surviving family include his son, Hal Burton of Russell, Kansas; sisters, Helen Lynn Coyle of Georgetown, Texas and Cynthia Burton Jones of Georgetown, Texas; two nieces and five nephews.
Donald was preceded in death by his parents, wife Jaclyn on January 26, 2021, and sisters, Patricia Hower and Beverly Maupin.
Celebration of Life and Musical Tribute for Donald will be held at 11 A.M. on Wednesday, September 14, 2022, at the Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell. Cremation has been selected by the family and burial of ashes will follow at the Russell City Cemetery. Military honors will be performed by the Russell V.F.W. Post #6240 Family will be present to greet friends from 10 A.M. to service time. Memorials have been established with the Deines Cultural Center or Smoky Hill Public Television. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.