Obituary of John ” Jack” Porter Burton

John “Jack” Porter Burton, age 74, of Moberly, MO passed away surrounded by family following a brief illness, on August 26, 2017 at University Hospital in Columbia, MO. Jack was born on January 10, 1943 in St. Charles, MO to John Waller Burton and Frances Carol Brobst Burton. He graduated from Westran High School and attended college in Kirksville, MO. Jack retired from Norfolk and Southern Railroad after 29 years of service and continued working part time for area golf courses, including the former Moberly Country Club, now known as Heritage Hills. Jack enjoyed hunting and fishing and in his most recent years devoted all of his leisure time to golf. He joined the Catholic Church 14 years ago and attended St. Pius X, where he frequently served as communion minister and usher. On March 30, 1969, Jack married Connie Boots of Moberly. During their 48 years together, they were blessed with four children and nine grandchildren. Jack was a proud and loving Papa who enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s sporting events. Though he loved all of them dearly, he shared a special connection with his youngest grandson Brooks. The two of them spent many hours together in their favorite chair reading books and playing with “Papa’s hats”. Jack was a hard worker, dedicating all of his efforts to providing a good life for his family. He was the true definition of humble and kind, earning the nicknames of “Cracker Jack” and “Little Jack”. That being said, he was a little guy with a big heart, who always had a twinkle in his eye and a quick wit. He will be dearly missed. Jack is preceded in death by his parents; his in-laws, Roy and Ann Boots; nephew Kevin Bowden; brothers-in-law Donnie Cox and Donnie Willer and sisters-in-law Judy Burton and Isobel Boots. He is survived by his wife Connie, of the home; children John (Rene’e) Burton of Columbia, Lessley (Trevor) Armstrong, Chris (Stephanie) Burton all of Moberly and Patrick (Dayton) Burton of Centralia; grandchildren, Chynna Burton, Sydney, Conner and Parker Armstrong, Madeline and Brooks Burton, April, Landin and Paige Burton; siblings, Judy Willer of Norwalk, OH and Jess Burton of Huntsville; brothers-in-law Billy Boots of Vicksburg, MS and Bob (Bonnie) Boots of Moberly; sisters-in-law Judy (Ivan) Foos of Moberly and Dorothy Cox of Jamesport, MO, as well as several nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Pius X Church, P. O. Box 310, Moberly, MO 65270; Down Syndrome Guild of Greater St. Louis, 8531 Page Avenue Suite 120, St. Louis, MO 63114; Randolph County Relay for Life, C/O Janie Riley, P. O. Box 189, Moberly, MO 65270; or the American Diabetes Association, Springfield, MO Office, 2833-B-E. Battlefield, Suite 100, Springfield, MO 65804. Services celebrating Jack’s life will be held Thursday, August 31, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Pius X Catholic Church with inurnment at a later date. Visitation will be held Wednesday, August 30, 2017 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. followed by a rosary.