Olin "Marion" Burton

Olin "Marion" Burton, M.D. COLUMBIA - Olin "Marion" Burton, M.D. of Columbia died peacefully in his sleep, while on vacation in Kiawah Island, his favorite place. Marion was 70 years old. Marion was born on February 20, 1945 in Abbeville, S.C. He was a graduate of Clemson University and the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), he trained at MUSC and Medical College of Georgia. For two decades he practiced pediatrics in Anderson, SC and taught local primary care residency programs. During this time, Marion began to notice an alarming amount of children coming into the hospital without a primary care physician. He also became concerned with how hard it was to keep young physicians in rural communities. These concerns soon became a driving passion for him in his medical career. In 1991, he was recruited to the USC School of Medicine to help establish a Division of Community Pediatrics. With substantial support from the Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), the State Office of Rural Health and USC School of Medicine, Dr. Burton developed and launched a unique locum tenens program in 1992 involving family medicine and pediatric faculty at the USC School of Medicine. Marion began working with the South Carolina Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics to help address the issues of fragmented care. Through his work with the Academy and working with DHHS, they were able to develop a model of health care delivery that placed public health clinical professionals in the offices of primary care physicians to provide medical homes for children who were formerly seen only in public health offices or in hospital emergency departments. During this time, he also became actively involved in the American Academy of Pediatrics "Community Access to Child Health" (CATCH) program. Marion also had the honor of serving as the physician representative for the South Carolina Hospital Association Board of Trustees. In his professional life as a pediatrician, his accomplishments were numerous. Marion was the president of the South Carolina Medical Association; he served as president of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Recognitions include the Abraham Jacobi Award for long-term national contributions to pediatrics. He was also the recipient of the William Weston Award from the USC of School Medicine Department of Pediatrics. In addition to Marion's stellar career as a medical doctor he was also driven to serve his country in the U.S military. His 34 years of exemplary military service to South Carolina and the Nation began in August 1971 with his appointment as a Commissioned Army Officer and Medical Officer in the South Carolina Army National Guard. He retired as a Colonel in February 2005. During his distinguished military career Colonel (Retired) Burton served in numerous key medical, leadership and command positions. He was qualified as a U.S. Army Aviation Flight Surgeon serving as the senior flight surgeon in the South Carolina Army National Guard. Colonel Burton culminated his military career serving as the South Carolina National Guard State Surgeon. He was the recipient of numerous awards and decorations including the U.S. Army Legion of Merit for exemplary service to his state and Nation. He is survived by wife, Debbie; his children, Richard Clark (Sally) of San Antonio, Texas, Edward Burton (Heather) of Greenville, S.C.; Daniel Burton (Jodie) of Chapin, S.C.; Beth Caporaletti (Eri) of Italy; Jessica Catledge (Chris) of Rock Hill, S.C. and Ashley Sirianni (Cory) of Columbia, S.C. "Grandpa", "Peepaw" will be greatly missed by his 8 loving grandchildren: Alyssa, Robert, Giorgio, Reid, Gianni, Addison, Max and Ethan; and his loyal companion, Chloe. Funeral services will be held at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 14, 2015, at Northeast Presbyterian Church, with burial immediately following in Ft. Jackson National Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 until 7:00 p.m. Monday, July 13, 2015, at Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the University of South Carolina, Office of Gift Processing, O. Marion Burton Community Pediatrics Endowment Fund (Account #: B11960), 1027 Barnwell Street Columbia, SC 29208. Please sign the online guestbook at www.dunbarfunerals.com.