Richard E. Burton

Richard (Chip) Earl Burton, 58, passed away on March 10, 2015 in Eloy, Arizona.
Richard was born in Detroit, Michigan on August 07, 1956 and held the incredible distinction of being the smallest premature baby ever to survive, weighing in at a mere 1lb 10oz. Due to his diminutive size, his family and many of his childhood friends knew him as "Chip" (off the ole block). Despite early Doctors’ dire predictions, Richard successfully graduated high school and earned a certificate in Food Service from Southwest Oakland Vocational Education Center and enjoyed many years working in varied aspects of the food service industry.

Though Richard had lifelong struggles with health, he loved to laugh and carried with him a lifelong talent of making others smile and laugh. He enjoyed Gourmet Foods as well as preparing them and lived an eclectic lifestyle collecting unusual and interesting antiques and coins; he also loved animals, music, and socializing with friends and family.

He is preceded in death by his parents Ralph George and Mary Elizabeth (Peard). Richard is lovingly remembered by his siblings Marie (Neil) Frame of Golden, CO; Christie Burton of White Lake, MI; Dana (Albert) Arning Boehnlein of Pittsfield Twp MI; Jeffrey (Janice) Burton of Chandler, AZ; nieces Shawn (Jay) Surgoine and Melissa Arning and nephews Matthew Phillips and Darryl Arning.

A celebration of life will be held at VFW Post 3713, 328 W Coolidge Avenue, Coolidge, AZ 85128 on March 20, 2015 from 1pm to 3pm.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are appreciated to The Arizona Humane Society or American Lung Association. Condolences and memorials may be left in Richard’s online guestbook at www.jwarrenfuneral.com.

Perhaps they are not stars in the sky, but rather openings where our loved ones shine down to let us know they are happy.
-Old Eskimo Adage

J. Warren Funeral Services, Mountain View Chapel is in charge of arrangements.