Donald L. Burton Sr.

CAMBRIDGE - Donald L. Burton Sr., 74, passed away on Wednesday, July 18, 2007 at the Chesapeake Woods Center in Cambridge.

He was born in Cambridge on Sept. 2, 1932, and was a son of the late John Riley and Viola Jones Burton Sr.

Mr. Burton attended schools in Cambridge and graduated from Cambridge High School in 1952. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1952 until 1956. On June 9, 1957 he was married to the former Darlene Abbott.

Some years ago he worked at The Daily Banner and later worked at the Evening Capitol in Annapolis and also at the Washington Star in Washington. In 1970 he went to work at the Eastern Shore Hospital Center where he worked in the dietary department until he retired in January of 1995. For about 15 years he had also worked part-time at Ray Crismond"s Exxon in Cambridge.

Mr. Burton was a member of the First Baptist Church in Cambridge where he had served as a trustee and was a member of the Young at Heart Class. He was a member of Dorchester Post 91 American Legion.

He had been in failing health since April.

Survivors include his wife, Darlene A. Burton of Cambridge; one son, Donald L. Burton Jr. of Cambridge; one brother, James R. Burton and his wife, Beverly Burton of Cambridge and several nephews.

He was preceded in death by four sisters, Clara McCall, Gloria Bromwell, Dorothy North and Peggy Carroll, and two brothers, Leon M. Burton and John R. Burton Jr.

A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Monday at the First Baptist Church on Glenburn Avenue in Cambridge with the Rev. Jerry Wade and the Rev. Austin Nute officiating. Burial will follow at the East New Market Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Sunday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Thomas Funeral Home, P.A. in Cambridge.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Building Fund of the First Baptist Church, 501 Glenburn Ave., Cambridge, MD 21613.

Pallbearers will be John Russ, Terry Phillips, Chuck Wheatley, Junior Vannoy, Wayne Potter, Andy Engle, Kenny Wheatley and Scott Hook.