Marshall Burton

Marshall Taylor Burton, age 91, passed away on July 16, 2022.

Marshall was born on November 11, 1930 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Alma G Burton and Vera Louise Taylor Burton. His mother passed away giving birth to his sister Roselyn when he was 8 and his older brother Robert helped raise him. His father remarried a few years later to Helen Taylor Smith and he gained an older sister Marie. He attended Highland Park Elementary, Irving Jr High and South High schools. He received his Bachelor degree from the University of Utah and his doctorate from Brigham Young University. He raised his family as cougar fans.

He served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the British Isles from 1950-1952. It was here that the beautiful and talented former Miss Utah, June Barlow, caught his eye. They were married on June 19, 1953 in the Salt Lake Temple. Due to the Korean War, he reported for service at Fort Ord, California the following day. Following his service, they made their home in Salt Lake City and eventually on in Provo. They had 8 children together and raised an amazing family. Their love was strong, supportive, unselfish and true.

At age 40, he was called to be a Mission President for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints over the Ohio-West Virginia Mission so they moved their family to Columbus for 3 years. He led by example, with conviction of purpose, and his patient, loving nature.

Marshall worked his whole life in the Church Educational System (CES) for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including Seminary and Institute Instructor, Associate Area Director, and Director of Personnel for Seminaries and Institutes.

Marshall felt a deep loss when June passed away in the summer of 1991. A neighbor introduced him to a woman who had recently lost her husband and he was blessed to have found love again. Marshall and Ruth Hunter married in 1993. Because of Marshall’s career experience, they served a CES Mission in Russia in 1996; with the recent collapse of the Soviet Union, he was called to introduce and set up the seminary program in the Moscow area. Two years later they served another CES Mission at BYU Hawaii. Marshall and Ruth were able to enjoy retirement through travel, service and family.

Marshall has been a faithful follower and example of Jesus Christ. Anyone who knew him felt love and acceptance. He has served continuously by accepting many callings including Bishop, Stake Presidency, High Council, Temple Sealer and the General Sunday School Board. At family gatherings, he never missed the opportunity to bear his strong and solemn testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ to his children and grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents Alma and Vera, stepmother Helen, infant son Matthew, sisters Marie and Roselyn, brother Robert, daughter-in-law Darlene and his wife June.

Survivors include his wife Ruth, children David (DeDe) Burton, Steven (Valerie) Burton, John (Betty) Burton, Mark Burton, Julie Ann (Nathan) Curtis, Mary Ann (Glade) Christensen, Kathleen (Todd) Bramall, Reid (Glenna) Hunter, Logan (Diane) Hunter, Geraldine (Shawn) Cook, Jeanette (Robert) Keate, 192 grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren plus 5 on the way.

A viewing for family and friends will be held on Friday, July 22, 2022 from 5:00-6:30 pm at Sundberg-Olpin Mortuary, 495 South State Street in Orem.  Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 23, 2022 at 11 a.m. at the Northridge 14th Ward LDS Chapel located at 1875 North 280 West in Orem with a viewing held that morning at the church from 9:30-10:30 am prior to the services.  Interment will be in the Salt Lake City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Missionary Fund for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in which Marshall served as a set apart missionary for one-tenth of his life.

Condolences for the family may be expressed on this page.

For those unable to attend in person, you may view the funeral services HERE

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