James Clarence Burton, who passed away on June 23, 2018 at the Cornerstone Village Nursing Home, will be missed by friends and family.
He is survived by his son, John Lynn Burton; a grandson, Clayton Burton; a great-granddaughter, Dahilia, all of Elizabethton, and a sister, Virginia Jeffrey of Winter Haven, Fla. He also leaves behind many good friends who will miss his jokes, his stories of his time as a traveling shoe salesman, and his generosity of spirit.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruby Burton, and his parents, Herschel and Lucy Burton.
Born in Eastern Tennessee, Jim attended Lamar High School and then Milligan College until joining the Army where he served in Italy until he was mustered out at the end of the war. He then got his degree in Industrial Management and worked for some years in Detroit in the auto industry.
Realizing that he didn’t like big city living, he returned to Eastern Tennessee where he was asked to represent a line of high end men’s and ladies’ shoes throughout the southeast. By the time he retired, Jim was the top salesman in the company.
It was after he retired that he became interested in woodworking. Taking a class in the adult education program at Elizabethton High School, Jim was soon busy making clocks, cabinets, kitchens, armoires, and even rocking horses. He knew his woods and loved making specialty pieces for clients. He also enjoyed teaching others the skills needed to make fine furniture.
Before his death, Jim had made arrangements for his body to be given to the ETSU Medical School for research purposes knowing that he would still be helping people learn a skill and doing good.