Robert Taylor Burton

ROBERT TAYLOR BURTON (Bob) age 97 passed away peacefully on June 3, 2022. He was born on June 1, 1925 in Salt Lake City, Utah. He married and was sealed to the love of his life Dorothy Sheats Burton in the Salt Lake Temple by David O. McKay on March 10, 1947. Dorothy passed away on March 19, 2020. Bob and Dorothy are now both excited to be together once again.

When Bob was just one year old, his father, Alma G. Burton and his mother Vera Taylor Burton were sent to what was then known as the Society Islands to preside over a church mission with headquarters in Papeete, Tahiti. Bob spent the next three years of his young life there. Remarkably, over 90 years later, Bob still retained several vivid memories of his time living in Tahiti.

Bob’s mother died when he was 13 years old. That left him, his dad, his brother, Marshall, and a newly born baby sister, Rosie. Three years later his dad married another wonderful woman, Helen Smith Taylor, whose husband had also passed away. Helen had a daughter, Marie, who became Bob’s step sister. The families joined together successfully and remain very close to this day.

Bob was a veteran of World War 2. He served in the Army Air Corps and was assigned to repair airplanes used in the war effort. After his service was over, it did not take Bob long to meet, date and then marry Dorothy. Bob and Dorothy spent the next 73 years together before she passed away.

Bob worked at Burton Lumber ever since he was a teenager. He served as the president of the company for over 20 years. At the time of his passing, he served as the Chairman of the Burton Lumber Board of Directors. He thought there was no better smell than the smell of fresh lumber.

Bob was always an active, devoted and committed member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Among other things, he served as an Elder’s Quorum President, High Councilor, Counselor in a Bishopric and Bishop. More importantly, he was a kind, caring, loving and exemplary father, grandfather, brother and friend.

Bob and Dorothy enjoyed traveling and were fortunate to see many beautiful and exotic places. However, his favorite place was being surrounded by family at a family cabin that he, Dorothy and their three boys built in the early 1970’s near Woodland, Utah.

Bob is survived by his brother, Marshall, three sons: Bob (Debbie), Dan (Becky), Jeff (former wife, Terri), ten grandchildren, one grandchild having predeceased him, and 21 great grandchildren.

The family would like to thank many dedicated friends and caregivers at Spring Gardens and Canyon Hospice who were so helpful and diligent in assisting Bob during the last few years of his life.

A viewing will be held Friday, June 10, between 6 and 7:30 p.m. at the Wasatch Lawn Mortuary 3401 South Highland Drive, Salt Lake City, UT. 84106. A family graveside service will be held later at a time to be determined. The family sincerely appreciates all of the expressions of sympathy and condolences that have and continue to be received. However, we would request please do not send flowers. A guestbook to post messages for the family is available at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary (www.wasatchlawn.com).