Frank Kevin Burton, 50, of Mineral Wells, W.Va., passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home on Feb. 2, 2012.
He was born Feb. 5, 1961, the youngest son of the late Paul Lee and Elizabeth Ann Lockhart Burton.
Frank was a 1980 graduate of Wirt County High School where he played football, baseball and wrestled. He was employed at Ames/True Temper and later at Warner Kia. He was an avid hunter and enjoyed fishing, especially trout fishing. Frank was a gifted horseman, but later in life discovered his true passion, beef farming. He operated Gilchrist Farms in Mineral Wells, raising and showing Registered Angus and Hereford beef cattle with his children. He always had a smile on his face, a willingness to help others and a deep and devoted love for his family. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him.
Frank is survived by his wife of 16 years, his "sweetheart", Melissa Gilchrist Burton; his children, Lane and Malloree of the home and Rachel (Jonathan) Gifford of Elizabeth; his brothers, Joe (Tammy) Burton and Danny (Linda) Burton of Elizabeth; mother-in-law, Nora Lee Gilchrist of Mineral Wells; sisters-in-law, Leslie (Phil) McHenry of Mineral Wells and Jenny Sullivan of Belpre; grandchildren, Rielee Burton and Maddox and Harper Gifford of Elizabeth; two very special nieces, Lauryn (Chris Bohach) McHenry and Jodi (Andy) Cheuvront and their children Nicole, Tyler and Cole; nephews, SSgt. Adam (Rachael) Burton and their children Shawn, Devin, Jackson, Joey, Jake and Hannah, Randy (Tina) McGrew and Camron, Aaron Burton, Dan and Ben Roberts and Billy Thompson; nieces, Shauna (Brian) Evans and Courtney (Jason) White and their children, Logan and Madison; and several uncles, aunts, cousins and special friends.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his father-in-law, Phil Gilchrist.
His family would like to thank Dr. Kelli Cawley and her staff and his special Amedisys Hospice Angels, Ashley, Aimee, Jessica, Miranda, and Jon. He loved each and every one of you very much.
Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Monday at the South Parkersburg Baptist Church with Pastor Larry Dale officiating. Visitation will be from noon-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Sunday at the Lambert-Tatman Funeral Home, Pike St., south Parkersburg and Monday one hour prior to the services at the church.
The family requests that memorial contributions be made in Frank's memory to any of the following: WV-781st AFJROTC, 1511 Blizzard Dr., Parkersburg, WV 26101; PSHS Swim Team, c/o Steve Lutz, 1511 Blizzard Dr., Parkersburg, WV 26101; or Amedisys Hospice Services, 417 Grand Park Dr., Suite 206, Parkersburg, WV 26105.
