Elder Theodore M. Burton, who died Dec. 22 after suffering a massive stroke, was eulogized Dec. 27 by the First Presidency as a "gentle, loving and compassionate man."
Elder Burton, 82, had served as a General Authority since 1960, when he was called as an Assistant to the Twelve. A member of the First Quorum of the Seventy since 1976, he was granted emeritus status during last October's general conference.President Thomas S. Monson, second counselor in the First Presidency, conducted the funeral service in Salt Lake Central Stake's 11th Ward chapel. He read a letter to Elder Burton's widow from the First Presidency.
The letter, in part, noted Elder Burton's courtly manner and patience, which endeared him to all who knew him. "He was a great man, a Godly man, and a man without guile," the First Presidency observed. "He never lost sight of the value of the individual."
Speakers at the funeral were President Gordon B. Hinckley, first counselor in the First Presidency; President Howard W. Hunter of the Council of the Twelve; and Robert P. Burton, Elder Burton's son.
The invocation was offered by Elder Jacob de Jager and the benediction was given by Elder Hugh W. Pinnock, both of the First Quorum of the Seventy.
In attendance at the funeral were most members of the Council of the Twelve, members of the Seventy, and the Presiding Bishopric, as well as several emeritus Brethren.
President Hinckley reflected upon the time in 1962 when he toured 21 European missions in 23 days with Elder Burton. "I learned to appreciate and understand and love Theodore Burton, his great singular drive in doing the work he was expected to do," said President Hinckley. "He knew what was expected of him and he did it, and did it with consummate skill and tremendous devotion and drive."
Of Elder Burton's career as a scientist and chemistry professor before his call as a General Authority, President Hinckley said: "He was a scientist who knew you couldn't cheat on nature. He was a man whose heart was full of love. Somehow, he melded those two qualities in a remarkable and interesting and wonderful way."
President Hinckley further said Elder Burton lived his life "absolutely down the line," with no deviation from principle. "He understood the scriptures. He spoke the word of the Lord with power and persuasion."
President Hunter said it is as natural to die as it is to be born. "If it could be said as fact that death is the end of conscious existence, this would be a sad occasion indeed, but it is not so. As Christians it is our firm belief that we shall live again."
President Hunter spoke of the Savior's declaration that the first and great commandment is to "love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind" and the second commandment is to "love thy neighbor." (Matt. 25:37-39.)
"Those who knew Theodore Burton learned early in their acquaintance and throughout their association with him that with all his heart he loved the Lord and demonstrated it by the way he served Him, thus fulfilling the first commandment.
"His life was one of service to others, and he lived the second commandment by his love to his fellow man."
Elder Burton's son, Robert, spoke of the trust and contentment with which his father accepted all his callings in the Church, from his service as a bishop to that as a General Authority. That same trust and contentment were expressed each time he was released, including Elder Burton's release from his formal responsibilities as a General Authority when he was granted emeritus status.
He spoke of the enthusiasm with which Elder Burton recently accepted a call as song practice accompanist in the Thirty-third Ward, and how he went throughout the neighborhood a few weeks ago to canvas members in an effort to help bring ward membership records up to date.
Elder Burton was born in Salt Lake City March 27, 1907, to Theodore Taylor and Florence Moyle Burton.
In 1932 and 1934 respectively, he earned bachelor's and master's degrees at the University of Utah, and in 1951 obtained his doctorate in chemistry at Purdue University. He composed the USU alma mater song.
From 1932-35 he was assistant bacteriologist in the Salt Lake Health Department. He began his teaching career in 1941, teaching chemistry, physics and mathematics at what later became the College of Eastern Utah at Price. In 1943, he began teaching at Utah State University and was professor of organic chemistry when he was called in 1960 as an Assistant to the Twelve.
He spent much of his life in Europe in Church and government service. He went there first as a missionary to the Swiss-German Mission from 1927-30. In 1934, he became technical assistant to the U.S. Treasury Attache, U.S. Treasury Department in Vienna, Austria. In 1937-38, he held the same post in Berlin, Germany.
In 1957, he returned to Europe to preside over the West German Mission. From 1962-64, he was president of the European Mission. He was appointed in 1964 as vice president and general manager of the Genealogical Society of Utah and was president of that society and managing director of the Genealogical Department of the Church until 1978. He then served as area supervisor for two years over the Europe Area.
He received recognition as a member of several fraternities, served as chairman of the Utah Section of the American Chemical Society and became president of the American Association of University Professors, Utah State University chapter.
Elder Burton is survived by Minnie Susan Preece Burton, whom he married in the Salt Lake Temple Feb. 23, 1933, and their son, Robert, and eight grandchildren.
Burial was in the Salt Lake City Cemetery.
