Lynn Rainey Burton Obituary (1921 - 2018)

Lynn Rainey Burton was one of the last of a great generation, a generation of warriors who fought for our freedoms and way of life. He was born into a pioneer family of the Star Valley region of Wyoming on June 24, 1921 in Lincoln County, Afton Wyoming to Wilford Fielding Burton and Ivie Irene Rainey Burton. He actively worked alongside his family on the farm to milk the cows, raise the crops, heat the house, attend school and help provide for the family. He enlisted in the US Marine Corp. on July 9, 1942 and served in the Central and South Pacific areas enduring the battle of Tarawa Atoll, Battle of Saipan and the Battle of Tinian, earning the Presidential Citation of Honorable Service. He was honorably discharged on October 11, 1945 as Private First Class. Home on leave he married Gayle Jensen from Star Valley Wyoming on February 6th, 1945 in the Salt Lake City Temple. Moving to Southern California he began his career which spanned over 38 years with Pacific Telephone as a lineman and engineer retiring in Northern California to build a ranch and raise a few horses, do a little fishing and loading more ammunition than he could ever use. He served in Bishoprics and as a High Councilman along with other positions in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and enjoyed his hobbies of hunting, fishing, camping, building things and fixing anything that needed fixing. Lynn and Gayle eventually sold the farm and built a beautiful home in St. George Utah, where they resided for 23 years until moving closer to family in Northern California and Utah where he passed peacefully at home in his sleep. He was preceded in death by two brothers and two sisters, Keith Burton, Dee Burton, Wilma Croft and Ann Buzzell. He is survived by his sweetheart of 73 years, Gayle; children Hal and Audrey Burton, of Northern California, Brad Burton and Sheridan Hughes, of Southern California and Tamra Burton, of Taylorsville Utah, 6 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. The Family would like to give a special thanks to Rocky Mountain Hospice for their care and loving concern of our Father, they were truly a blessing to us. Viewing will take place Sunday evening August 12th from 6:00-8:00pm at the Jenkins-Soffe funeral home located at 1007 W. South Jordan Pkwy. South Jordan, UT. Funeral services will be held Monday, August 13th at 10:am in the LDS Meetinghouse located at 5775 South 2700 West, Taylorsville, UT with a viewing one hour prior to service. Immediately following the service, Lynn will be taken to Afton, Wyoming for burial in the Afton City Cemetery. A graveside service with full military honors will immediately precede the interment.