Harold Robert Burton

Harold Robert Burton passed away peacefully, December 25, 2023, surrounded by family at Golden Years Care Center in Harrisonville, MO. He was better known as Bob Burton.

He is survived by his wife Maxine Burton, two sons – Mike Burton (wife Robyn) and J. R. Burton (wife Carol), six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. He was proceeded in death by his parents Harold and Nellie.

Bob Burton was born March 4th, 1935, in Hammond, Indiana. At the age of 12, he and his family settled in Bethany, Missouri. Bob graduated from Bethany High School in 1954. He married his high school love Maxine (Miller) Burton in November 1954 and moved to the Kansas City metro area to work and start a family.

Bob had a passion for electronics related to radio and telephone electronic engineering. Today it would be called Telecommunications. With some vocational education and other studies, he worked at ATT in downtown Kansas City for 15 years. During this time, he was a member of the Lions Club. He took an opportunity with United Telephone and moved his family to the Jefferson City, Missouri area. After many years there he was transferred back to the Kansas City area, where he retired from United Telephone Company at the age of 56.

Bob and Maxine bought 40 acres in the countryside of Maries County, Missouri where they enjoyed many years of country life retirement. Bob was a member of the Eagles Club and served as president for a one-year term. Later he joined the Lions Club for a time. Bob also had a passion for old vehicles and eventually bought and refurbished a 1931 Ford Model A and 1955 Ford Pickup Truck. He was a member of Mid MO Old Car Club of Jefferson City, Missouri. He enjoyed showing them and won awards at historic auto shows. For many years they drove these historic vehicles in the Maries County Parade at the start of the local fair in Vienna, Missouri. Bob enjoyed playing music with anyone who wanted to play along while he strummed on the guitar. He welcomed anyone and everyone to join in and sing. He loved playing the guitar, banjo, and fiddle. He spent time riding ATVs, fishing, oil painting, drawing, and enjoying hosting family and friends.

Family and Friends will meet at the funeral home, Bethany Memorial Chapel 1000 N. 25th Street Bethany, MO 64424.
Graveside services and burial will be January 5, 2024, at 1:00 pm at Miriam Cemetery, Bethany, Missouri.

After the graveside service, we will meet back at Bethany Memorial Chapel to share memories.