Dave was born November 25, 1940 to Oscar C. Burton and Elizabeth G. Burton in Wilmington, NC. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Ann E. Burton; and son, Charles David Burton, Jr.
Dave grew up in Bolivia, NC where he enjoyed fishing, hunting and boats. He attended Bolivia Elementary School and Perquimans County High School in Hertford, NC. Dave enjoyed sports and lettered in football, basketball and baseball and graduated in 1959. In the fall, he entered NC State University where he met the love of his life, Ann McCain Eggleston, and married her on April 21, 1962. Dave and Ann welcomed a son, Charley, in 1963 and in 1964, Dave graduated from NCSU, majoring in engineering. After graduation, the young family moved to Martinsville, VA where he had a new job with Fieldcrest Mills. While in Martinsville, Dave and Ann welcomed a daughter, Susan. As the age of computers emerged, Dave trained in this new technology. With his inquisitive, how does this work nature, he became proficient in computer technology. The young family moved to Riegelwood, NC where Dave worked for Riegel Paper Company.
The early 1970’s, Dave and Ann moved to Charlotte, NC and in 1972, Dave joined North Carolina National Bank where he remained until he retired. He worked in numerous departments within NCNB and enjoyed the challenge with every promotion. While at Bank of America, David received a Master’s degree from LSU School of Banking. Through his encouraging, efficient and personable management style, co-workers became friends. After retiring, Dave and Ann returned to Brunswick County and his childhood farm.
Dave’s hobbies were varied and wide. He was an avid saltwater fisherman and model airplane enthusiast. Dave enjoyed restoring cars, especially Austin Healeys, and shot competitive Benchrest and Skeet. Surprising his family, Dave became a fabulous cook known for waffles and pancakes, pies and banana bread, Mexican lasagna, grilled and smoked meats, and his famous cornbread was requested for every family gathering.
Dave enjoyed traveling the United States. Alaska was one of his favorite destinations since it encompassed his most life-long interest; Fishing, flying airplanes, friends and natural grandeur, often all in one day! Dave enjoyed offshore fishing in North Carolina and in the Florida Keys. On one memorable Keys trips, He and Ann learned of their first grandchild’s arrival and said he was now “sleeping with a grandmother.” The last trip he and Ann took together was a passenger rail trip along America’s Northern Border. He was astonished by the landscapes and vast expanse.
Dave was motivating and practical with a razor-sharp sense of humor. He was admired by his family and a network of friends who would often call Dave for advice on anything from how to eliminate a bubble in the wing coating, to how he stopped the vapor lock on his Austin Healey, to where he caught the boat limits of Spanish Mackerel.
Dave is survived by daughter, Susan B. Dixon (John M. Dixon); sister, Rebecca B. Farmer; and beautiful grandchildren Rachel, David and Michael Burton and Alex and Cara Dixon; daughter-in-law Susan D. Burton; and numerous Family and Friends.
A Celebration of Dave’s life will be at a later date. Memorials may be made in Dave’s honor to Coastal Conservation Association, ccanc.org, or your charity of choice.
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