John Burton was a third generation San Juan Islander who passed from this world on Jan. 24, 2021, at his home in Wellton, Arizona, with his wife Eve Burton by his side. John battled cancer for the last 10-11 years, before it finally got the best of him as it advanced through his bones at age 79.

Johnny Burton (as he was known by many) was born in Friday Harbor to John and Audrey Jakle Burton on Oct. 14, 1941. Growing up, he and his sisters (Carol, Mary and Susie) worked on the family farm. He served in Vietnam, and made several trips to work and fish in Alaska. John was married to Mickey Bauer in 1968 and together they raised their son, William (Bill) Roy Burton and his two step-daughters, Lisa Burton James and Monica Blomgren.

During his lifetime in Friday Harbor, John served on the town council, owned a couple of businesses including J. B. Redi-Mix and John Burton Sand & Gravel. John was an avid hunter, whether it be rabbit, deer, elk or moose and he could keep you mesmerized by the retelling of his adventures. He became an avid fisherman in his retirement, learned to fly RC Airplanes, taught himself to make fishing lures, and enjoyed reading. Old western music was definitely tops on his list!

John and Eve were married in 1992. Later, the two of them started Burton Building Consultants working with Timberland Custom Homes assisting new homebuyers to prepare their site for their new home. They spent many years as “snowbirds” in their RV and became “full timers” after retirement. Around 2007, they decided to move off the island and headed to Winthrop, Washington, before permanently moving to Wellton, Arizona, after he was diagnosed with cancer in 2010. John and Eve both accepted Christ into their hearts, joined the 1st Southern Baptist Church in Wellton, and he was baptized a year after Eve on September 11, 2016. Eve selected Sunday, Feb. 14 — Valentine’s Day — for the small Celebration of Life for John that was well attended after worship service at the Baptist Church in Wellton.

John is survived by wife, Eve; son, Bill Burton; daughters Monica Blomgren and Lisa James; grandsons, Jake Burton, Wil and Logan James; sister, Mary Freymuth, and husband, Gary Freymuth and other family members.