Thurman D. Burton

Jim was born in Greenville, South Carolina on November 22, 1942, to Mary and Calvin Gillstrap. Jim was married to Glenda Burton.

Jim served in the United States Air Force from 1965 through 1985. While in the USAF he served in the Vietnam War. Jim was awarded the Department of the Air Force Commendation Medal twice. The first was in 1967 for meritorious service given by the Seventh Air Force, combat command at Tan Son Nhut Air Base in the Republic of Vietnam. The Seventh Air Force combat command assumed responsibility for Air Force operations throughout Vietnam. The second was in 1970 for outstanding achievement given by the Air Force Commander at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, MS home of flight training operations for the T-28 Trojan for the Republic of Vietnam Air Force. After the war, Jim was stationed around the world, including assignments in Japan and Turkey. Jim advanced through the ranks finally retiring honorably as a Master Seargent at Brooks Air Force Base, in San Antonio on August 1, 1985.

After leaving the USAF Jim quickly realized it wasn’t his time for retirement and returned to government service, this time in the civil service working at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, primarily supporting Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC). After a long and successful second career, he received another full retirement as a GS13 (the equivalent military rank of a Colonel). After retirement, Jim spent time traveling and working around the house. He volunteered on a corporate board of directors and was also talked into running for city counsel for the City of Converse (to our surprise… and where he almost won).

Jim was a great father to his boys. He was always close with his kids and was always there for them. While divorce can commonly see a father disconnect from his children, that wasn’t the case here. He attended all of the boy's sporting events, school shows, and whatever else the boys had going on. There are a lot of happy memories of times at school events, Brooks AFB shooting BB guns, fishing and bowling, trips to South Carolina, playing softball (again to our surprise) and some of our favorites were on the golf course at Randolph AFB.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents Mary and Calvin Gillstrap and his wife, Glenda Burton.

Jim is survived by all three of his sons, Adam Burton, who is married to Gina, and their two sons, Garrett and Jacob, Mannie Burton, and his three children, Lorin, Lexi, and Landon, Aaron Burton, his wife, Nonie Burton, and their children Kailey, Tyler and Trinley.

A graveside service will be held on Thursday, May 9, 2024, from 2:00 PM to 2:45 PM at Sunset Memorial Park & Funeral Home, 1701 Austin Hwy, San Antonio, TX 78218.

Mannie, Adam, and Aaron want to extend their appreciation to everyone who helped their dad, especially Alene Williston and Sharon Clark plus the entire staff at Buckner Westminster Place, who tirelessly loved and helped him. They are grateful for your generosity and service to their dad.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Disabled American Veterans (DAV) in memory of MSgt. Thurman D. Burton, Retired USAF.