Paul Burson

Paul Arden Burson

A proud, life-long resident of Carey, Paul Arden Burson, 103, joined his wife of 74 years, Jeanne Yvonne (Chapman), when he passed into eternal life Friday, July 26, 2024, while at Birchaven in Findlay.

He was born Jan. 19, 1921, in Carey, to Earl Stanley and Della Mae (Newcomer) Burson. Paul had an older sister, Vera (died in 1940) and younger brother, Dr. Reid (died in 1995).

Active in many organizations and band during his Carey High School years, Paul also served as class president three of his four high school years while also serving as business manager for the yearbook and as a cheerleader before graduating in 1939. Near the conclusion of his junior year, his mother passed away and two years later, his sister died.

Following high school, Paul entered Wittenberg College in the fall of 1939 and joined Phi Kappa Psi fraternity followed by two years at Ohio State before World War II interrupted his college education. He became part of the "Greatest Generation" serving in U.S. Navy from Jan. 1942 - Sept 1945. Paul qualified for a slot in the Naval Intelligence department and moved to the D.C. area where he worked with others to break the Japanese code. For this effort, he was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation.

In 1943, his father married Laura Knepper Kemerley. As many did during the war, Paul took a leave, returning in September, 1943, to marry his life-long sweetheart, Jeanne, before they moved to California where she remained while he was stationed at Pearl Harbor. Following his 1945 discharge, Paul finally completed his undergraduate work at UC Berkeley, graduating in 1946.

Paul and Jeanne then moved to Columbus where he entered OSU Law School. His daughter, Jan, arrived later in 1946 and he graduated in 1948, passing his bar in 1949, the same year his son, Dave, was born. As a result of his college experiences, Paul was an avid supporter of Wittenberg and Ohio State and passed the love on to his family. Seven members attended Witt and most became Buckeye fans. A move back to Carey followed where Paul began the first of many business, industry, and philanthropic endeavors and his third child, Judi, arrived in 1957.

Paul was a practicing attorney from 1949-2001. He opened Burson Law Office (became Burson-Beck when Linden Beck joined the practice) and Burson Insurance Agency (later renamed Burson Bakies Insurance Agency) where he was one of the first 13 agents for Cincinnati Insurance. At the same time, Paul joined his father in Burson Clothing Store (later known as Burson-Hale Clothing & Jewelry Store) and began his active involvement in the community. He was one of the charter members of the local Jr. Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees) chapter and eventually served as a State VP. He was a lifelong member of Kiwanis (his father was a charter member), serving as president. Several board leadership roles filled Paul's years including Carey Public Library, Pres of Carey School Board, where he presented Judi her diploma, Superintendent of Christ Lutheran Church Sunday School & Chr of the Memorial Trust Fund, Executive Board of Governors of Ohio Bar Association, Advisory Board, Blanchard Valley Health Center, and President of Wittenberg Alumni Association. Paul later was presented the Wittenberg Class of 1914 Award of Distinction after being nominated by his granddaughter, Julie Kottke Valenti, a Witt alum.

Paul was instrumental in bringing many businesses and industries to Carey, some of which he was owner or part owner, Pres: Carey Plastics Manufacturing Company and VP: Wyandot Industries. He also helped develop the Burson Apartment building in downtown Carey and Scott's Inn Hotels. During this time, he and Jeanne were part owners of the KOA near Vanlue and owned several farms.

Masons and Eastern Star occupied much of Paul and Jeanne's time for several years. Paul was raised to Master Mason by Foothill Lodge F &AM 564 of Oakland, California. He joined Carey Masonic Lodge F&AM #420 and recently received his 80-year member pin from the Grand Master. Paul was a member of Scottish Rite Valley of Toledo and Zenobia Shrine in Toledo. He and Jeanne were Worthy Matron & Patron of Carey Order of Eastern Star (now Warpole #366).

Paul had memberships in many organizations over the years. He became a Kentucky Colonel as a result of his son-in-law, Doug Kottke.

A sense of philanthropy was utmost in importance throughout Paul's entire life. He and Jeanne provided large donations to Dorcas Carey Public Library, Village of Carey for community development, Wittenberg University, and Blanchard Valley Carey Health Center. Additionally, smaller donations were made to various organizations and anonymously to many in need. He was a wonderful role model to all his family showing that much is expected when one is blessed.

Family was the most important to Paul and Jeanne, hosting most major holiday get-togethers and numerous summer visits both in Carey and Fort Myers, Florida where they began spending time in the 1980s continuing through the mid 2010s. Paul's guidance and support of and to all his family members is legendary and will be sorely missed.

Remembering him with much love and fond memories are his children, Jan Kottke (Doug), Dave Burson (Connie), and Judi Franko (Jim); grandchildren, Julie Valenti (Steve), Chris Kottke (Mary), Jeff Burson (Jen), Christie Burson, Bob Holmberg, and Tom (named after Paul) Holmberg (Katie); great-grandchildren, Kate (named after Paul) and Steven Valenti, Lana (named after Paul) and Grace Holmberg, and Aria Burson; and nephew and nieces, Phil Burson (Denise), Pam Scott, Peg Mills (Tim), and Penny Rankin.

The family extends its love and thanks to David and Barb Thome for all the love, care, and assistance they provided their parents and grandmother, Marie Chapman, for many years. The family also extends heartfelt thanks to all the staff of Birchaven Heights and particularly Aspen for their love and care of Paul during the past eight-plus years.

Visitation will be 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, at Stombaugh-Batton Funeral Home, 225 W. Findlay St., Carey, Ohio, 43316. A Masonic Service will immediately follow visitation. Additional visitation will be 10:15 a.m. Monday, Aug. 12, 2024, until the time of Paul's celebration of life at 11 a.m. at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, 116 W. Findlay St., Carey.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Carey Historical Society, 202 W. Findlay, PO Box 202, Carey, Ohio, 43316, Dorcas Carey Public Library, 236 E. Findlay St., Carey, or Alzheimer's Association at act.alz.org/donate.

Online condolences, as well as fond memories, may be shared with Paul's family by visiting www.stombaughbatton.com.