Alan Lee Burton

He is survived by his wife, Andrea, a son, Steven, two grandsons, August Legal and Aidan Legal, daughter Angela Marie Gentry, grandson Mitchell Bastow and four siblings, Carol Sue Harrison, Marylou Manor, Nancy DeWitt and Russell Burton. He grew up in Farmington Hills, Michigan. As the second oldest, he was always there for his family. The day after he graduated in 1964, he received his draft notice. Not wanting to join the Army, he chose instead to enlist in the US Air Force, where he spent four years during the Viet Nam war, as an airplane mechanic and hydraulics expert.

Alan loved cars. Tearing them down, putting them back together and even re-painting them. His prowess with tools and his mechanical mind assisted in his becoming a firstclass journeyman for Ford Motor Company for 35 years before retiring in 2021. Alan also was employed at Providence Hospital, Southfield as Manager of Buildings and Grounds for many years. He loved genealogy and spent time investigating his Georgian roots, where his father, Durwood, was born. He visited the area several times and was a great supporter of their historical society, Foxfire. We were able to attend one of their family reunions a few years ago, where he was able to meet face to face with many of the people he had only communicated with by phone or email for years.

Alan was a very thoughtful and kind soul. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, 151, and a great supporter of the Wounded Warrior group, as well as the Salvation Army. Years ago, he became guardian along with his wife, for one of his nieces, which kept her from foster care. A young artist, a recent addition to Alan's life, was gifted a drafting table for his craft, and a vehicle for school when most needed. In addition, his son and family shared Alan's home which allowed his grandsons to enjoy building model airplanes and cars, trips to the air museums, dog shows, Disney World and countless ventures to the Henry Ford Museum and Milford park. Both grandsons belonged to the Performing Arts program at Milford High School. In November 2017, Alan volunteered to play one of the chefs in the show "Hello Dolly." It was a favorite moment of his life to perform on the same stage as his grandsons.

October 2 of this year would have been our 50th wedding anniversary. He was a wonderful brother, husband, father, uncle and grandfather and is greatly missed.

In lieu of flowers, if you choose to make a donation, please make it to the Wounded Warrior program or Leader Dogs for the Blind.

A celebration of life will be held at Baker's of Milford Restaurant on Saturday, April 18, 2026 from 11:00 AM-3:00 PM. Please RSVP with Andrea at 248-388-0625.

Alan will be missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.