Marion B. Burton
Nov 23, 1930 - Jan 27th, 2024- Birth Date: Nov 23, 1930
- Death Date: Jan 27, 2024
- Funeral Date: Jan 31, 2024, 11:00 am
- Location: Ruebel Funeral Home
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Biography:
His many projects have all come to an end. Marion B. Burton of Little Rock, Arkansas, passed away peacefully on January 27, 2024, at the age of 93
Productive is one of the best words to describe him. He was happiest when he was busy – working on projects, building and rebuilding cars, airplanes, or boats, and working in his yard or on his farm when he wasn’t occupied with his work as executive trustee of the Winthrop Rockefeller Charitable Trust and flying his beloved airplanes. His many talents and broad intellect allowed Marion to take on a vast range of projects, from running political campaigns, setting world speed records in private jets, building a canoe, building an airplane, rebuilding car after car, tinkering on his boat, running a cattle farm, and playing a key role in the establishment of the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute on Petit Jean Mountain.
Born in Little Rock on November 23, 1930, Marion was fascinated by the emerging world of aviation as a boy growing up in the 1930s and 40s. With the benefit of a Naval ROTC scholarship, he graduated from Pennsylvania State University in 1952 with a major in physics and minors in mechanical engineering and naval science. After graduation, he went directly into flight training in the US Navy, launching him on his lifelong dream to fly, something that remained at the center of his world for the rest of his life.
He set lofty goals for himself and his family and held a high standard of intellectual achievement and responsible, ethical action. After serving in the Navy, he went on to law school at the University of Michigan, where he completed his degree in 1959 and returned to Arkansas with his then-wife, Ann, the mother of his four children.
Marion returned to Arkansas because he believed that it was the place where he could have the biggest impact, and upon his return he immediately got involved in the Republican Party, hoping to be part of a reform of that era’s party. Through his involvement in the Republican Party, he was eventually introduced to Winthrop Rockefeller and joined him in his first campaign for governor in 1964 and remained part of his inner circle for the rest of Governor Rockefeller’s life.
In Rockefeller’s successful 1966 campaign for governor, when Marion served as campaign director, he was instrumental in identifying and putting into place new computer technologies that had become available to target and address letters to individual voters, the first time this was done in a political campaign. It took an IBM computer the size of a room to do what we can now to do today on a cell phone, and it resulted in Winthrop Rockefeller’s election as governor.
But as if that wasn’t enough, Marion still wanted more than anything to fly! When Rockefeller became one of the first owners of a privately-owned business jet, a Sabreliner, Rockefeller asked Marion to oversee his aviation operations, which included a private airport at Rockefeller’s home on Petit Jean Mountain in Central Arkansas. Marion and a fellow pilot flew that plane from France to Arkansas, and then also flew a later Falcon Jet that Rockefeller bought in 1965.
Marion went on to set multiple world speed records for commercial business jets in the governor’s Falcon Jet, including one record for crossing the Atlantic Ocean. Some of those records still stand today.
After Governor Rockefeller’s death in 1973, Marion was named co- executor of the governor’s estate and a trustee of the Winthrop Rockefeller Charitable Trust. As executive trustee, the Trust remained the focus of the remainder of Marion’s professional life.
The crowning achievement of his work with the Trust was the creation in 2018 of the Governor Winthrop Rockefeller Endowment, a gift of over $100 million from the Trust that is held by the University of Arkansas Foundation to ensure long-term support for the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute and the lasting legacy of Governor Rockefeller. The Institute is housed in the former farm buildings of Winrock Farms on the top of Petit Jean Mountain.
When not working on airplanes, boats, cars, or on the small farm that he owned in Perry County, Marion could be found jogging at the Y, or later the LR Athletic Club, playing tennis at LR Racquet Club, or skiing the slopes of the Rocky Mountains. He was active in multiple organizations, serving on the boards of many, including the Experimental Aircraft Association, the Little Rock YMCA, Winrock International, the Arkansas Aerospace Education Center, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Foundation, the Arkansas Arts Center Foundation, and the Arkansas Aviation Historical Society, among others.
He retired from the Navy Reserve with the rank of Captain and was awarded the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award by the Federal Aviation Administration for over 50 years of professionalism, skill, and aviation expertise.
He spent the last 27 years of his life with his loving partner, Doris Davis, who gave all of herself to him when he needed it the most. He would gather annually with his four children and nine grandchildren - who were scattered around the world - wherever the family could find a place to meet, and most recently at many wonderful gatherings on the shores of Keuka Lake in the Finger Lakes region of NY.
In addition to Doris, Marion is survived by his sister, Judy Chreist, and by his children and grandchildren, Allyson Burton and Jon Boyle and their children Chris and his wife Alyshia, Zachary, Bevin, and Riley; Jenifer Burton-O’Conner and Greg O’Conner; Tyler and Maria Burton and their children Raleigh, Foster, Sinclaire, and Finley; and Jynks Burton and Steven Brown and their children Anya and Alex. He is predeceased by a son, Douglas Burton, his siblings, Boyd Burton, Frances White, and David Burton, and his parents Melvin Burton and Helen Tedstrom Burton.
In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully suggests that contributions be made in Marion’s memory to the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute or to a charity of your choice. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, January 31, 2024, at 11 am at Ruebel Funeral Home, 6313 W Markham, Little Rock. A Celebration of Life is also planned for a later date at the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute. Arrangements are under the direction of RuebelFuneralHome.com
Condolences(07)
Amanda Durham
#7
Feb 6th, 2024 1:16 pm
Mr. Burton was a very lovely man with a sense of humor. I loved taking care of him and learning about all his accomplishments. Mr. Burton will forever hold a spot in my heart.
Jeff Webb
#6
Jan 31st, 2024 11:06 pm
First my condolenses to the all of Maion's children and their families. My father Robert Webb was a good friend and admirer of Marion, he loved to fly and would let Marion use his P-51D Mustange to fly on many trips to the Naval Reserve unit in Memphis, and from taking-off from Little Rock to landing in Memphis was only a 20 minute flight at a top cruising speed of 275 miles and hour. Marion took me to Vail, Colorado for week skiing trip with his girl and son Tyler. We had a great time, and also Marion had a great heart helping my dad when he needed a friend by his side. He will be missed dearly, but not forgotten for all he had done for those around him.
Richard Mills
#5
Jan 29th, 2024 11:18 am
I am thankful for the privilege I had working with Marion as he served on the State Aeronautics Commission. He was the very definition of Class and Humility. I am glad that my wife and I had the chance to get to know him a bit better outside the office as well. Our prayers are with your whole family as you go through this chapter and celebrate a life well lived.
Kathi Jones
#4
Jan 29th, 2024 9:05 am
It was an honor knowing Marion from my days working at Winrock International. My condolences to his loved ones.
Carol Walker
#3
Jan 28th, 2024 6:19 pm
Marion was a great & humble man. He loved Doris & his family so much. A great life & gave so much. Forever loved & missed.
Prayers for all of you.
Prayers for all of you.
Michael McLeod
#2
Jan 28th, 2024 6:11 pm
My best to the Family
Jenifer Burton O'Connor
#1
Jan 28th, 2024 2:31 pm
Dear Dad - I was blessed to be your daughter and will miss you terribly. I am so thankful for the full and exciting life you led and all of your accomplishments. I always wanted to be like you. You knew how to do everything. I was always amazed at your knowledge and accomplishments. The last few years were tough and not what you would have wanted but the loving care of Doris brought out a side of you that I will always cherish and be thankful for. I wish you eternal peace. I will miss you each and every day. I love you. Your loving daughter, Jenifer