Richard Burton

SIOUX CITY -- Richard R. Burton, 64, of Sioux City died Tuesday, June 28, 2011, at his residence surrounded by his family. Services will be 11:30 a.m. Friday, July 1, 2011 at Grace United Methodist Church in Sioux City, with the Rev. Judith Kitterman Miller and the Rev. Tony Nester officiating. Private family internment will be at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel. Condolences may be sent online to www.meyerbroschapels.com. Richard Ray Burton was born March 24, 1947, the first son of Mary Ellen Moore Burton and Virgil Ray Burton of Tupelo, Miss. They moved from Mississippi to Kankakee High School and served in the U.S. Navy from 1964 to 1968. He was employed from 1968 to 1970 with Ford Motor Company. From 1970 to 1973, he began railroading for the Richmond Fredicksburg and Potomac Railroad, then transferred to the Illinois Central Railroad in 1974, retiring in 2001 from the Illinois Central/Canadian National Railroad after 30 years of railroading. During those years, he served as a general yard master of the Markham Yard, Chicago, general yard master, Decatur and conductor. In June 1965, he married his high school sweetheart, Barbara "Bobbi" Jean Reynolds. After 19 years of marriage, they were blessed with the birth of their first son, Charles Keith, and Edward Ray 13 months later. Bobbi died in November 1994. The man with a big heart and great love met and married his second wife, Karen Taylor Burton. Rich, Karen and the boys continued to live in Champaign, Ill., through 2003. In 2003, Rich encouraged and joined Karen for a new venture in his life, they founded a partnership in Siouxland Aquatics and formed a unique pioneering partnership with the Sioux City Community School District and opened in September 2003. During the later years of Rich's life, his love of children and people shined above all. Together, side-by-side in the water or on a pool deck, with the assistance and involvement of the greater Siouxland community, aquatics gained a new re-birth. Rich had a passion with Karen in the development of the Big Splash program for children with disabilities. As of January 2011, Big Splash has served up to 163 students per month and has served 451 students since it's inception in 2007. Since their return to Iowa, Rich and Karen have enjoyed many weekends throughout the years at their small cottage in Monarch Cove at Lake Okoboji. Together, with the help of his father-in-law, Duane, the three remodeled the cottage. He is survived by his wife, Karen; sons, Charles of Sioux City and Edward and daughter-in-law, Alexis of Fort Myers, Fla.; and his mother, Mary Ellen of Sioux City. He was preceded in death by his younger brother, Charles Keith; his father, Virgil; and his first wife, Bobbi. Throughout the last weeks, he continually reminded family and friends to celebrate life. Rich requested in lieu of flowers, all gifts and memorials were to be given to Big Splash Inc. for the children with disabilities. With his big smile he encouraged us to continue the wave of this unique educational approach for children with disabilities! All gift and memorials may be sent to Liberty National Bank, 4425 Singing Hills Blvd., Sioux City, IA. 51106, ATTN: Big Splash.