Christopher Wayne Burton

Christopher Wayne Burton, age 53, of Fort Worth, Texas finished his earthly journey peacefully at Medical City Plano hospital on Friday, October 1st, 2021. His joy-filled love of God and life will be missed by all who knew him.

Chris is the son of Wayne and Paula Burton of Fort Worth, Texas and grew up in Arlington, Texas, where as a youngster he became an avid BMX bike racer. This love of speed and competition led to involvement in amateur racing with the SCCA in the Spec Miata class where Chris and his dad enjoyed building and racing cars together.

Chris graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University with a degree in Computer Science. While at SFA, Chris met and married his wife Donna, and they blissfully, with deep abiding love for one another, celebrated 30-years of marriage this year. Chris is also survived by his six children, three sons and three daughters-in-law: Tyler and Angelle of Frisco, TX; Collin and Giovanna of Portland, OR; and Travis and Paige of Northlake, TX. Pouring his heart felt love and kindheartedness into the lives of his children was Chris’s greatest passion in life.

Chris’s work career has been in the Information Technology and Computer Programming sector, and he has served as the Information Technology Director at First American Mortgage since 2019. Prior IT work included time with AutoZone in Memphis, Tennessee as well as Inmar Rx Applications and American Airlines in the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex. Outstanding character, exceptional tireless work ethic, talented mentorship and problem solving were some of Chris's strongest attributes. Chris was known for investing in others through coaching and purposeful relationship building no matter someone's title. He would be quick to recommend to anyone in the work world two of his many favorite books to read and learn from, "The Five Dysfunctions of Team," by Patrick Lencioni and "Who Moved My Cheese," by Spencer Johnson. Chris was an avid learner who intentionally was always striving to improve himself, his work environment and all those with whom he worked with.

Chris also loved helping young people develop their skills in various arenas through his community volunteering as a youth soccer coach with many various teams, while also serving on the board of the Grapevine Southlake Soccer Association for more than eleven years. Not only did Chris coach, but he also refereed, was instrumental in bringing competitive options into the league and further served as President of GSSA for seven years. Chris also stepped into the role of coaching competitive junior and senior high school student debate as well taking several teams to state and national level competitions. Chris was also appointed to serve as a board member of the Veritas Communications Club and the Valley Creek Church Homeschool Co-op board which impacted hundreds of young people within the community.

One of his favorite Bible verses was James 1:17 - “Every good and perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of Lights in whom there is no variation or shadow of turning” – and for Chris every “good gift” was experienced primarily through the blessings of relationships with so many others. One of the spiritual gifts God gave to Chris was the gift of giving.

In continuation of what Chris brought to others through giving, the Burton family would like to honor Chris's spirit of giving in three areas he was deeply connected with. As an alternative to flowers, three donation options were chosen in Chris's honor.

1. Grapevine Southlake Soccer Association: To honor Chris, his family has established a GSSA student scholarship fund which will award chosen GSSA senior students an academic scholarship to be applied directly to the student's higher education tuition. Donations can be made by mail to the Grapevine Southlake Soccer Association 1001 W Northwest Hwy, Grapevine, TX 76051. Please include in the memo line "Former GSSA President Chris Burton Student Scholarship Fund." Donate electronically, GSSA has established a non-profit PayPal memorial fund you can access by clicking here: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=NQ5P7QGVW6RZC

2. Memphis Botanical Gardens: As a bird watcher and nature lover, Chris and Donna held a membership and spent many, many hours sitting and walking through the gardens. Donations in Chris's honor can be made at this web address: https://www.memphisbotanicgarden.com/honorariumandmemorial Please check the box labeled, would you like to dedicate this donation as a memorial, honorarium or birthday gift?

3. Gateway Church - Care Program: Faith and following Jesus was and is the cornerstone of Chris's life, above all else. He purposefully chose to love God and reach out to love on others. Serving families was important to Chris which he invested himself in doing. In continuance of loving people, Chris, while in the hospital decided to support the Care Program while experiencing personally the benefit of this ministry. This program is there for people who are hurting, struggling to make ends meet, or experiencing major life events like a birth, an adoption, hospitalization, a life-altering illness, death, or bereavement. Make a check out to Gateway Church and in the memo line include "Care Program" in memory of Chris Burton. Mail the check to Gateway Church Ministry Headquarters 500 S Nolan, Suite 300 Southlake, TX 76092.

Please include with all donations: "Send Notification Gift To "Donna Burton 2800 Stackhouse Street Fort Worth TX 76244

The family would like to thank each and every one who knew Chris and prayed for him during his life. We know the good Lord heard all of you. Additionally, the Burton family is so grateful for your love, support and prayers as well. We thank God for you.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.rollingoaksfuneralhome.com for the BURTON family.