Harold Burton

Harold Burton passed away peacefully on March 5, 2026, at home, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on February 7, 1941, in St. James, Missouri, to Clyde and Loretta Burton. At the age of nine, during a town revival at the high school, Harold gave his life to the Lord, an act that led his parents to follow him down the aisle and commit their own lives to Christ. His father served as the town’s first postal carrier, while his mother raised Harold and his four sisters, Kay, Jean, Shirley, and Bonnie.

From an early age, Harold worked diligently before and after school at the post office, delivering newspapers, mowing yards, and helping his grandfather at the MFA. These efforts allowed him to dress sharply and purchase gifts for his family at Christmas. He later worked in highway construction on I-44, in Kansas hay fields, and in the service department at Hutcheson Ford. A gifted athlete who stood 6’4”, Harold excelled in baseball, basketball, fast-pitch softball, bowling, and golf. His basketball talent earned him a full scholarship to Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Missouri, where his high scoring helped lead the team to the national tournament for the first time in school history. He chose to remain at SBU, where he formed lifelong friendships, met and fell in love with his wife Jo, and deepened his faith in Christ. The university later honored him with the Life Service Award and induction into its Athletic Hall of Fame for basketball.

After college, Harold enjoyed a long career with State Farm Insurance for more than 40 years, much of it at the corporate office in Bloomington, Illinois. His work took the family to Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas. He served faithfully as an usher and deacon at Eastview Christian Church and Calvary Baptist Church in Normal, Illinois. In 2025, the family returned to Missouri. Though dementia limited his final years, he remained at home, lovingly cared for by his children.

Harold is survived by his wife of 57 years, Jo; his daughter, Natalie; his son, Scott; his sisters Kay Mayberry, Shirley Derryberry, and Bonnie (Kevin) Taylor; his sisters-in-law Janey (John) Childers and Joni Appleton; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his parents-in-law John and Willette Heuer, his sister Jean Clark, and his brothers-in-law Charles Mayberry, Larry Clark, Mike Derryberry, and Max Appleton. Those who knew him will remember his strong character, his protective love, and his consistent example of service that reflected God’s love in their lives.