Ken Burton Sr

Born on February 15, 1937, in Wilmington, North Carolina, Ken was the son of Jimmy and Hazel Burton. He grew up with a deep sense of loyalty, humor, and community—qualities that shaped his life and endeared him to all who knew him. A devoted husband, father, brother, grandfather, great‑grandfather, and friend, Ken was cherished for his warmth, quick wit, and unmistakable sparkle in his blue eyes.

Ken loved sports of every kind, especially cheering on the Tampa Bay Rays, any North Carolina team, and his beloved Palmetto Tigers. He rarely missed a TigerVision game and took great pride in supporting the program. Ken was a City of Palmetto City Councilman and Mayor, and served ten transformative years on the Manatee County Commission.

Ken is survived by his loving wife of 17 years, Judy; his children Ken Jr. (Shelly), Jeff (Paige), and Christi Tillis (Joel); and his stepchildren Stephanie Carlton (Todd), Chris Walker (Allison), and Suzanne Berlin (Travis). He leaves behind 12 grandchildren, 9 great‑grandchildren, and his brother Larry (Nancy). Each of them brought him immense joy.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Marlene, with whom he shared 47 years of marriage.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, April 10, 2026, from 11:00–11:45 a.m. at:

Suncoast Baptist Church 1816 10th St. W. Palmetto, FL 34221

A lunch for friends and family will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to TigerVision, a program close to Ken’s heart:https://palmettotigers.com/forms/view.php?id=21080