David Douglas Burton Jr.

On June 23, 2024, David (Dave) Douglas Burton, Jr, CPA passed away in his home in Clearwater, FL. He was born on October 31, 1942, the only son of David Douglas Burton and Mary Winn Burton (Minter) in Richmond, VA. As a young boy his mother passed away and his father remarried. He gained a new mother, Audrey Burton (Rose) and brother, Jack Warner along with a beloved extended family.

At the age of 19 he enlisted in the Air Force serving at MacDill Air Force base in Tampa, active duty for four years. Deciding he really enjoyed living somewhere where it never snowed, he entered the University of Florida in Gainesville after his discharge. While there he met and married Donna Stone, a nurse at Shands Hospital. Dave and Donna were happily married for 31 years and had daughters, Dawn and Darlene.

After graduating in 1969 with an accounting degree, they moved to the Tampa Bay area, where he obtained a position with Harper, Van Scoik CPA firm (now Carr, Riggs and Ingram) in Clearwater, FL. He spent his entire career at the firm, obtaining partner status early in his career. His area of expertise at the firm was tax and advising real estate investors. Dave himself was a very successful rental home investor. He loved to find win-win solutions to real estate issues where both sides would benefit.

After Donna’s death, Dave was lucky enough to find love again with Beth Lane (Paschke). They married on May 6, 2000 and had 24 wonderful years together. He welcomed her children, Megan and Nathan into the family. Over the years Dave has continued to stay close to Donna’s family, most of whom still live in Jacksonville, where she grew up.

Dave was a devout member of Unity Church of Clearwater and the Episcopal Church of the Ascension. He was an avid car collector and a past officer of the Studebaker club and the Avanti Club of Florida. He was a rabid Florida Gator and Tampa Bay Rays fan. Dave will be remembered by many as a generous person who never expected anything in return.

Dave is preceded in death by his first wife Donna Burton, and his brother Jack Warner (Ann). He is survived by his current wife Beth Burton, children Dawn Belson (Joe), Darlene Hower (Cindy), Megan Lane (Jeff), Nathan Lane (Kathryn), his grandchildren Krista Plante (Nick), Ryan Belson (Teresa), Damien Hower, Kiersten Hower, Margaret Lane, Charlotte Lane, and Fitzgerald Lane. Also included in his family were neighbors, friends, and coworkers.

The Celebration of life for David Burton Jr. will take place on August 10th at 11:00 at Church of the Ascension, 701 Orange Ave., Clearwater, FL 33756. Reception to follow in church hall.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to be made to either Unity Church of Clearwater, PO Box 4681, Clearwater, FL 33758 or Church of the Ascension, 701 Orange Ave., Clearwater, FL 33756.