Herbert Allen Burton Jr.

Herbert Allen Burton, Jr., 75, of Mount Airy, passed away on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist in the comfort of his loving wife. Mr. Burton was born on Feb. 23, 1949, in Surry County, to Herbert Allen Burton, Sr. and Mary Ruth Coleman Burton. He graduated from Lees-McRae College and later attended Guilford College. After college, Allen proudly served his country as a Corporal in the United States Marines Corps. Following his military service, he returned home to work as a sales manager in the family business, Burton Dodge. Allen was very active in the Mount Airy Jaycees, becoming the president in 1975. He received the Distinguished Service Award for the City of Mount Airy and ranked in the top five "Distinguished Young Men" in North Carolina. Allen was an avid Mount Airy Granite Bear's fan and never missed a football game - even if he had to listen on the radio. He served on the Mount Airy Board of Education for twelve years; served as the vice president of the Lion's Club from 2013-2014; and president from 2014-2015. In his later years, he chaired Mount Airy's Appearance Commission, helping ensure his beloved city always looked its best. After his retirement from the automotive industry, Allen found his true calling, working as a tour guide for the Mayberry Squad Cars, where he loved educating visitors on guided tours of his cherished city. When he wasn't driving squad cars, Allen could often be seen working at the Mount Airy Visitors Center, providing information and answering questions for tourists. Mr. Burton was a lifetime member of Grace Moravian Church and he will be deeply missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Judy Butler Burton; three sons and two daughters-in-law, Bradley Craig Burton of Daytona Beach, FL, Allen Ryan and Kelly Burton of Wilmington, and Todd Jarrett and Adrienne Burton of Temecula, CA; nine grandchildren, Levi, Jenna, Banks, Brooks, Grayson, Renly, Cooper, Lauren, and Aspen; three great-grandchildren, Hazel Mae, Avery, and Arlin; a brother and sister-in-law, Coley and Jan Burton; his mother-in-law, Geraldine Flinchum Johnson; along with several nieces and nephews. Mr. Burton was preceded in death by his parents. The funeral service will be held on Thursday, Nov. 7, at 2 p.m. at Grace Moravian Church in Mount Airy, with the Rev. Andrew Heil and the Rev. Robert Wolfe officiating. Interment will follow in God's Acre, with full military rites conducted by the VFW Memorial Honor Guard. The family will receive friends on Thursday, Nov. 7, from 1 until 2 p.m. at Grace Moravian Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Grace Moravian Church, 1401 North Main Street, Mount Airy, NC 27030. Moody Funeral Services in Mount Airy is serving the family. Online condolences may be made at www.moodyfuneralservices.com.