Clark Decker Burton

Burton, Clark Decker - Age 85, passed away on April 18, 2004, in Roanoke, VA. Clark was born in Brooklyn, NY in 1919 to John Reginald Burton and Grace Burton. He was a graduate of Taft School Class of 1937 and Cornell University Class of 1941. In 1941, Clark went to Brazil on a Rotary Scholarship to study Portuguese. Soon after arriving, he was called up to active duty as an officer in the United States Army, serving in the Intelligence Division of the Embassy in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil until 1943. After marrying Eva May Burton on June 22, 1946, they moved to Brazil, where Clark assumed increasing positions of leadership with the First National Bank of Boston. He and his family lived in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo until 1965. They then moved to Buenos Aires, Argentina, where Clark headed up the Bank of Boston's Argentine operations. In 1970, Clark returned to New York with the Bank of Boston for one year, before moving to Boston where he was Executive Vice President in charge of the bank's International Division. Clark retired from the bank in 1986 and moved to Smith Mountain Lake, VA. Following the death of Eva in 1985, after 39 years of marriage, Clark married Mary Jo Aden in 1987. For the next seven years, Clark was a lecturer on South America and International affairs at Lynchburg College. Additionally, Clark was active in the Smith Mountain Lake Lion's Club, the Lions Scholarship Trust Fund, traveling and playing golf at the Waterfront Country Club. He leaves behind his wife of 17 years, Mary Jo Aden Burton; as well as his children, Leslie McPhillips (Julian), Mark Burton (Cathy), Craig Burton (Sandra), Keith Burton (Debbie); his stepchildren, Dr. Marilyn Aden Russell (James), Thomas Aden (Donna), Melvin Aden (Elizabeth); granchildren, Rachel McPhillips, Grace McPhillips, David McPhillips, Clark Burton, Paul Burton, Adam Burton, Elizabeth Burton, step grandchildren; and 1 great grandchild. He also leaves behind many friends all around the world. His family gives thanks to God for such a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and father-in-law. A memorial service will be held at the TRINITY ECUMENICAL PARISH, 40 Lakemount Drive (located on Hwy 122) Moneta, VA, on May 8, 2004 at 11 AM, 540-721-4330. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the Smith Mountain Lake Lions Scholarship Trust Fund, 726 Three Quarters Point Road, Wirtz, Virginia 24184 or to the Memorial Fund, Trinity Ecumenical Parish, Smith Mountain Lake, 40 Lakemount Drive, Moneta, Virginia 24121.