A Visitation for Family and Friends for Lonnie will be held Thursday, February 13, 2025 from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM at Striffler-Hamby, 4071 Macon Rd., Columbus, GA 31907. A Graveside Service with Military Honors will be held at 3:00 PM at Parkhill Cemetery, 4161 Macon Rd., Columbus, GA 31907.
Lonnie was born July 26, 1957 in Fort Dix, New Jersey; son of the late SGM (Ret) Raymond B. Burton and Ingrid Sibberson Burton. Lonnie was a lifelong resident of Columbus, Georgia. He graduated from Kendrick High School in 1976. During high school, Lonnie worked for WDAK Radio delivering Top "40" surveys to record outlets and doing promotional commercials.
In 1976, he went on to enlist in the Marine Corp and served until 1980, when he left to care for his mother. Lonnie enlisted in the Georgia National Guard in 1981 and was apart of the 560th Engineer Battalion and the 110th CSB. He was a Gulf War veteran and retired in 1998 after 20 years of service.
Lonnie enjoyed science fiction, meeting various members of the original Star Trek cast including Gene Roddenberry. He also served on the security task team for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. He enjoyed constructing race car models and listening to 1960's and 1970's music.
After leaving the marines, he attended Columbus Technical College and graduated from the Tool and Die Technology and Machine Shop programs. He worked for Williams Tools as a Tool and Die and Machine Shop Technician.
Other than his parents, he is preceded in death by his beloved dog, "Coco".
Lonnie is survived by friends and relatives in Tennessee.