David was born to loving parents, Irwin and Maradel Burton and lived in Milford all his life. He was educated in Milford schools where he earned eleven varsity letters in four sports. In 1956 he graduated from Georgetown University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences.
Following graduation, he was commissioned in the Army Signal Corps and served in Germany.
David then joined his father in the family automotive business; a career lasting more than forty years, during which the company added franchises and locations. He was a member of, and served a term as president of the Delaware Auto Dealers Association.
David had a great interest in his town and state. He served on the Milford City Council for ten years and the Milford Hospital Board of Directors for more than thirty years, where he served a term as its chairperson. He was a founding member of the Milford Chamber of Commerce. He led successful capital campaigns for the Milford Library, the Milford Boys and Girls Club, the Delaware Music School, and St. John’s Church.
David was a long serving member of La Esperanza, a group working with the Hispanic Community in Sussex County. He chaired the State Welfare Board and was a founding member of the Delaware Community Foundation. He was also a founder and member of the Greater Lewes Foundation, and served on the Broad of Visitors and Governors of Washington College where he had earned a Master’s Degree in history.
Mr. Burton was preceded in death by his loving wife, Ann Burton (nee Leonard).
He is survived by his four children, Joseph Burton and his wife Turtle, Irwin “IG” Burton and his wife Jullie, Charles Burton and his wife Marie, and Sarah Burton Boling, ten grandchildren, five great grandchildren, and his sisters, Nellie Ziegler, Peggy Spengler, and Suzy Graham.
Visitation will be held at St. John’s the Apostle Fellowship Hall, 506 Seabury Avenue, on Friday, October 16th, from 4PM to 7PM.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10AM on Saturday, October 17th in the church’s chapel, with reception in the church’s hall after.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his name may be made to any of the charities mentioned above.