Mr. Bernard A. Burton

Bernard A. Burton, 100 Neighborly Way, Somerset, KY, passed away on June 11, 2011 having attained the age of 89. He passed away peacefully at Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital. Bernard was born in Naomi, KY, on January 26, 1922 to the late Oscar C. Burton and the late Flonnie Smith Burton. Besides his parents, two brothers preceded him in death: Marlon and Glen Burton. He was united in marriage for 62 years to Katherine Warren Hukill on April 21, 1949, at the First Baptist Church of Lexington, KY, and she survives him. To this union were born two daughters: Mary Jane Brown (husband John) and Linda Jasper (husband Bruce) both of Somerset. He has two grandchildren John Brown II (wife Inace) and Mary Katherine “Katie” Jasper Smith (husband Dylan) also of Somerset. One great grandchild is expected in September to John and Inace Brown. Other survivors include the following siblings: sisters, Jewell (late Gene) Bramel of Erlanger, KY, Montie (late Rev. Leon) Wesley of Louisville, KY, Lillian (Tom) Morrow of Fairfax, VA, Christine (Ben) Shadoan of Greenville, SC, brother, Arlen V. Burton of Louisa, KY and sister-in-law Dorothy (late John “Jay”) Tackett of Lexington, KY. Special friend and loving caregiver to Bernard and the family is Beverly Stewart also of Somerset. Bernard was a graduate of Nancy High School. Upon graduation he joined the United States Army to serve his country during World Was II serving in the Company C, 14th Tank Battalion as tank commander having attained the rank of Sergeant. During WWII he served in Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe. He received the following decorations and citations: EAMA Theater Ribbon with 3 Bronze Stars, the Purple Heart Medal, the Victory Medal and the Good Conduct Ribbon. When the war ended he was selected to attend Shrivenham American University, Shrivenham, England, taking courses in Animal Husbandry, Soil Conservation, and Fruit Production. Upon his return to the United States he enrolled and then graduated from the University of Kentucky with a degree in Vocational Agriculture. After graduation he began his teaching career at the school from which he graduated, Nancy High School. Later he transferred to Pulaski County High School until he retired after a total of 34 ½ years. Under his guidance as a Vocation Agriculture teacher many young men won state and national awards for their projects in FFA (Future Farmers of America). He was selected to lead the “Kentucky Friendship Tour to Korea” taking a group of FFA students and farm equipment to rural South Korea during the summer of 1960. He was a volunteer with the local Boy Scouts # 82, an avid woodworker, loved gardening, growing flowers and spoiling his grandchildren. He was of the Baptist faith attending Oaklona Baptist Church of Naomi as a child, and is a current member of First Baptist Church of Somerset. Visitation for Bernard A. Burton will be held on Wednesday, June 15, 2011, from 5 pm to 8 pm at Pulaski Funeral Home. Funeral services will be conducted on Thursday, June 16, 2011, at 11 am in the chapel of Pulaski Funeral Home with William Adcock officiating. Bernard will be laid to rest in Mill Springs National Cemetery, Nancy, KY, after funeral services with full military honors. Special thanks to the following: Sharon Reynolds, director, and the wonderful staff of The Neighborhood of Somerset, Dr. Robert Drake, Dr. Sandy Schuldheisz, and the staff at Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital all for their love and special care given during the time before his death. Pulaski Funeral Home is honored to be in charge of all arrangements for Mr. Burton.