Charles Burton

Charles Jay Burton, 76, Topeka, passed away on Sunday, June 8, 2008 at Midland Hospice House.

Charles was born September 16, 1931 in Arkansas City, the son of Stephen and Estella (Peachee) Burton.

He graduated from Arkansas City High School in 1949 and Arkansas City Junior College in 1951. He was third in the nation for automotive design in a contest sponsored by General Motors. The prize was a $2,000 scholarship which could be used at the university of the contestant's choice. He chose Kansas State College Architecture where he achieved a Bachelor degree of Architecture and Architectural Engineering. He went on to a 35 year career in architecture; licensed in the State of Kansas. He became a partner in the firm of Edkahl, Davis, Depew and Persson in Topeka. He designed the Rain Forest building in the Topeka Zoo and received an A.I.A. design aware for Eastminster Presbyterian Church in Topeka.

He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1954 and served in the occupation forces in Germany.

He was a member of Trinity Presbyterian Church, American Institute of Architects, Kansas Woodturners and Top Class Control Line Model Airplane Club.

Charles married Patricia C. Casey on March 20, 1955 in Arkansas City. She survives. Other survivors include daughters, Kathleen E. (Greg) Thorne. Erie, CO.; Annette E. (Ronald) Martin, Lincoln, NE; grandchildren; Nichole Thorne, Charles Martin, Sara Martin, R.J. Martin; half-brother, Robert Wasson; and step-sister, Barbara Wasson-McPherson.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 at Trinity Presbyterian Church. Burial will follow the following day at 1:00 p.m. at Riverview Cemetery in Arkansas City. Penwell-Gabel Southwest Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Presbyterian Church, 4746 SW 21st, Topeka, KS 66604 or Kansas State University Foundation, College of Architecture, Planning & Design, 2323 Anderson Ave., Suite 500, Manhattan, KS 66502-2911.