Robert "Bob" Burton

Robert “Bob” Burton, 92, passed away on November 14, 2020 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He was born on March 31, 1928 in Shallowater, Texas to the late James Henry and Allie Lou (Davis) Burton. Bob Burton was a legend. His four children, Shirley, Sherry, Shelly and Clay couldn’t have been more proud of their father. He was a loving and devoted husband to our mother Hazel to whom he was married for 53 years. Their love story is a whole book in itself. He was an amazing father, brother, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle and cherished friend. He leaves behind many broken hearts and spectacular memories of what a great man he was. He proved from a very young age how strong and independent he was and that continued throughout his long and productive life. There was nothing Bob Burton couldn’t do and would do it to perfection. He was a cowboy, builder, motorcycle rider, race car driver, magical musician with his voice and guitar talents as well as a wood carver and airplane pilot among his MANY talents and gifts to the world. He loved to dance, and he was a great storyteller as his memory was phenomenal. His sweet smile was one of a kind and he always had a twinkle in his blue eyes. He always wore Levis, belt, a western shirt, and cowboy boots and hat. He was very particular about how his trademark cowboy hat was placed on his head. Some of us called him Grizzly Adams because ALL animals, babies, children and people of all ages were immediately under his spell. Who else has a pet porcupine who allowed him to pet it? His sense of humor was unbelievably endearing. He had such a sweet and magnetic force that no matter where he went, people gravitated to him with immediate adoration. No matter where he was living or what he was doing, he always had the world loving him without him trying to prove his effortless lovability which was the aura he gave to the world. His family will always have him high on a pedestal right next to our mother. He will be missed forever but we are so thankful to have shared part of his life. He is also preceded in death by his wife, Hazel Earlene Koch; stepfather, Shorty Thompson; sisters, Norma Mae Powers and Donnie Lou Long and great granddaughter, Kelsie May. Bob is survived by his son, Robert Clay Burton and wife Patricia; daughters, Shirley McClaran and husband Allen, Sherry Flowers and husband Danny and Shelly Swanson and sister, Louise Dunmar. Bob was blessed with 12 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild. A Private Family Burial will take place at the Corona Cemetery.