Nelson Burton Obituary

Burton
Nelson Dean Burton
July 24, 1929
February 23, 2023

At the ripe old age of 93 Nelson Dean Burton passed away peacefully in his sleep on February 23, 2023, in Colorado Springs, Colorado after a short fight with cancer.
Nelson was born to Mark and Gladys Burton on July 24, 1929, in Bluff City, Kansas. Nelson was an only child. He grew up on the family farm near Anthony, Kansas where he attended school and graduated from Anthony High School in 1947. After graduating high school Nelson enlisted in the Air Force and served with the Occupation of Japan on the northern island of Japan. He served until 1952 when he was honorably discharged. After the Air Force he began working for Mountain Bell as a lineman climbing poles and installing phones.
He was "introduced" to Charlotta Frye in Greeley, Colorado where she worked with his mother at Weld County General Hospital. They were married June 14, 1953, in Wooster, Ohio. Nelson and Charlotta made their home in Englewood, Colorado. They were blessed with two sons, Grant, and Danny. Nelson's job took them to Colorado Springs where he helped install the telecommunication systems at NORAD. He lived the rest of his life in Colorado Springs. Nelson and Charlotta were blessed with three more children Lee, Nancy, and Sally.
Nelson worked for Mountain Bell until his retirement in 1984, when the Bell system was broken up. During his tenure with the phone company, he worked at many military installations in various capacities. During the tax season Nelson worked for H & R Block and then went into business for himself as a tax preparer.
In his retirement, Nelson was active in the Izaak Walton League's Pikes Peak Chapter. He helped build various shooting facilities. He was the president of the State Division and a National Director up until his death. He was also very active with the Telephone Pioneer's. Through this organization he painted a multitude of United States maps on elementary playgrounds throughout the state, on the eastern plains. In addition, he was on the board of directors of Mountain Bell Credit Union (now Ent) until 2002.
Nelson was avid hunter. In the fall he went elk hunting in the Flat Tops near Pagoda Peak and pheasant hunting near Burlington, Colorado. He enjoyed being outdoors during hunting season. He also volunteered for the Colorado Parks and Wildlife, helping them in various ways. Nelson was retired for a longer time than he worked, but always stayed active and busy.
Nelson was preceded in death by his wife of nearly 65 years Charlotta Frye Burton, son Danny, his parents, mother -in-law Esther Frye and father-in-law Walter Frye, son-in-law Zane Brewer, granddaughter Allyson Blackwell, and Cousin Donald Childers.
Nelson is survived by his children Grant (Cheryl) Burton of Westminster, Lee (Sharon) Burton of Divide, Nancy Brewer of Guymon, Oklahoma, and Sally (Tom) McIntyre of Fort Collins; grandchildren Katie (Kevin) Dodson, Matthew (Krystal) Burton, Mike (Erin) Burton, Stephen (Sarah) Judah, Rachel (Jake) Sokol, Zachary Brewer, Travis Brewer, Nicholas Brewer, Sarah McIntyre, Nathan McIntyre, and Ryan McIntyre; 12 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held 10:30 am Saturday March 18th at the First United Methodist Church (420 N. Nevada Ave.) in the Lehmberg Chapel.
Flowers may be sent to the First United Methodist Church. Memorial contributions can be made to the Izaak Walton League of America (IWLA 707 Conservation Lane Gaithersburg, MD 20878), the Telephone Pioneers or Lumicare of Colorado Springs Hospice in memory of Nelson Burton. The family would like to thank MorningStar at Mountain Shadows Senior Living Community and Lumicare Hospice for their wonderful support and care of Nelson for the last several years.