Richard Burton

Richard Keith Burton died peacefully in his home in Buhl, Idaho on July 12, 2015 at the age of 74 after a lengthy illness.

Keith was born in Coffeyville, KS on January 21, 1941 to parents E. Edith (Barr) Burton and Orville H.D. Burton. Keith grew up and attended schools in Cherryvale, Kansas. In the late 1950's, Keith moved to Independence with his mother and youngest brother, Philip Beeson. Keith graduated from Independence High School in 1960. Keith worked various part-time jobs after school, and began employment with Sutton Nursery and Landscape of Independence, Kansas shortly before graduation.

On June 11, 1960, Keith married Donna Jean Fowler, of Independence, Kansas. Keith and Jean had one child, daughter, Grace Darling "Dolly" Burton. Upon marriage and becoming a father, Keith began his full-time career with Sutton Nursery, managing crews to clear and maintain tree limbs near utility lines, and later managing the ranch, crops and herds of Charolais cattle owned by dale and Grace Fowler of Independence, KS.

Upon closure of Sutton Nursery in the late 1970's, Keith focused his skills, ingenuity and hard work ethic to the trades, working with Stark Construction, Jim Selby Appliances and LaForge and Budd Construction.

Keith and Jean later divorced, and Keith moved to Buhl, Idaho in 1984 to be closer to his youngest brother, Phillip. Keith began working as a plumber, and acquired his Journeyman Plumber license in Idaho the early 1990's. Keith worked for the next several years on residential and commercial/industrial plumbing projects and inspecting telecommunication fiber optic projects throughout Idaho, California and Nevada. While in Buhl, Keith met and later married Kaite Jaynette Fenton Connolly from Bishop, California, on July 14, 1990.

During Keith's retirement years, he enjoyed hunting and camping trips in the mountains, riding his four-wheeler, and indulging his love of the great outdoors. Keith was frequently found working on some project to improve his home or helping others with their home improvement projects, which included a period of part-time employment with Home Depot in Twin Falls, ID. Keith loved to visit the Burton family farm in Liberty, Kansas, where he enjoyed visiting family and friends.

Keith was predeceased by his father Orville, mother Edith, and sister Constance "Connie" Wright of Everett, Washington. Keith is survived by his spouse, Kaite Jaynette Burton of the home, sister Edythe James Taylor of Fountain Hills, AZ, brother Jim Burton and wife Mary of Independence, KS, brother Charles Burton and wife Linda of Manhattan, KS, brother Philip Beeson and wife Brenda of Buhl, ID, daughter Grace "Dolly" Stephens and husband Rick of Coffeyville, KS, stepson Patrick Connolly and wife Larisa of McCall, ID, stepdaughter Pamela Hayes and husband Chris of Buhl, ID, four grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and seven nieces and nephews.