COLUMBIA - Jerry Dennis Burton passed away peacefully at the age of 78 on Thursday, January 14, 2021. He was born in Mooresville, N.C. to the late Margaret Smith Burton and the late Johnny Dennis Burton. He and his seven siblings grew up in Calhoun Fall, S.C. – a big, happy family. Jerry graduated from Calhoun Falls High School where he was selected as “most popular” his senior year. He went on to receive a degree in textile management from Clemson University where he made many lifelong friends. While at Clemson, Jerry was a cheerleader and a member of the Numeral Society and the ROTC.
After graduation, Jerry served as a 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Army and was stationed at Fort Eustis, Va. He received the Army Commendation Medal and later attended graduate school at William & Mary where he received an MBA before working at Springs Mills in Fort Mill, S.C. and later at Burlington Mills in Greensboro, N.C. In 1971, he moved to Columbia where he began his long, highly successful banking career with First National Bank and later with Wachovia from which he retired as Senior Vice President of Trust Investments in 1996.
Jerry was a devoted member of Trinity Cathedral, where he served as an usher and was also a member of the Board of the Investment Committee of the Upper Diocese of South Carolina. He was also a member of the Rotary Club of Five Points, Forest Lake Club and several social clubs.
He is survived by his sons, John Patrick Burton of Asheville and Michael Fleming Burton of Los Angeles; his longtime, loving companion, Margie Shelburg; two grandchildren whom he adored, Lea Honour Burton of Charleston and Woods Bode Burton of Asheville; and his former wife, Martha F. Durst. He is also survived by four sisters, one brother, many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by one sister.
A private funeral service will be held. There will be a livestream of the service starting at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, January 21, 2021 on Dunbar Funeral Home – Devine’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/DunbarDevine
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18