Calvin Leon Burton, 89, of Nederland, died Tuesday, May 8, 2012. He was born September 10, 1922, in Angus, Texas, to Birdie Mae Henson Burton and Cas Calvin Burton. He attended LeTourneau University where he graduated with a Mechanical Engineering degree and worked for LeTourneau, Inc. until 1959 when he accepted a position with Texas U.S Chemical Company (aka Ameripol Synpol). He retired in1988.
Calvin served in the United States Army Air Corp during World War II at the airbase in Laredo, Texas where pilots and crew were trained for combat fighting. In his role as Technical Sergeant, he managed teams of mechanics that performed maintenance and inspection of a fleet of airplanes that included pilot trainers, fighters, and bombers. It was his job to ensure the safety of the men who would eventually be reassigned to combat locations in the European and Pacific theaters. He and his team were honored for their high-quality service and safety rating.
In the early 1940’s, Calvin was a professional singer / musician and with the popular North East Texas Band, The Teasleville Ramblers. He was offered a job with Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys, but when he met Jesus and an old fashioned alter, his love for playing and singing honky-tonk music was changed to a ministry of praise and worship. He gave up empty Earthly fame and fortune for the love and approval of God.
He met his wife, Ruby Claudine Sheppard, when she was 14 years old and 4 years later, on December 25, 1943, they married. He was her best friend and protector until her death on September 7, 2011. Their life together was filled with love and happiness, good times and bad, and they never wavered in their commitment to each other. When she suffered a stroke in March, 2011, Calvin cared for her faithfully, continuing in his role as protector, friend, and spouse until Jesus escorted her “home.”
Calvin and Ruby were blessed with 3 children, Ruth Raedine, James Leon, and Beverly Joyce. Music is important to the Burton family and the children are continuing in Calvin’s footsteps - playing and singing for the glory of God. He loved his children deeply and he was blessed to know that his legacy will endure through the individual ministries of his beloved children and the successive generations.
Calvin Leon Burton is survived by his children, Ruth Raedine and her husband, Ed Lee Wood of Rosharon; Reverend James Leon Burton and his wife, Imogene of Temple; Beverly Joyce and her husband, Reverend Robert Dale Parr of Houston; grandchildren, Jennifer Casey and her husband, Sam Lanphier; Jane Elizabeth Wild; Robert Dale Parr, Jr. and his wife, Carissa; Davie Erin and her husband, Marcus Wilson; Deana Ruth and her husband, Clifton Smith; Meghan Raedine and her husband, Lee Scholl; fourteen great-grandchildren; and one brother, David Charles Burton and his wife Estelle of Tridad, Texas.
A gathering of Mr. Burton’s family and friends will begin at 12 Noon, with his funeral service to follow at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, May 12, 2012, at Broussard’s, 505 12th Street, Nederland. Interment will follow at Memory Gardens of Jefferson County, 3098 Highway 69 North, Nederland.
Memorial contributions may be made to Twin City Church of God, Youth Camp Scholarships, 4848 80th Street, Port Arthur, Texas 77642.
