During an educational career spanning 27 years, Burton was a servant leader, activist, and advocate, who gave voice to issues and served in various roles: Author; Instructor; Senior Instructor; Adjunct Professor of Management; Adjunct Professor of Law; Adjunct Professor of Legal Studies; Assistant Professor of Business Administration; Associate Professor of Business Administration; Full Professor of Business Administration; College and University leader; Chairman; Director; and Administrator. He served approximately 10,000 students and professionals during his long and distinguished career. Several colleges and universities attempted to recruit Burton before his academic career ended in 2004.
Burton had an outstanding record of leadership and service, highlighted by inclusion in Who’s Who in American Law and Who’s Who in California. His activities included membership on the boards of directors for Pop Warner Football of Torrance, Inc. (founding member); Center for Prevention of Child Abuse; South Bay Children’s Health Center; West Los Angeles College Paralegal Advisory Board; Los Angeles Southwest College Paralegal Advisory Board; and other nonprofit organizations.
From 2004 to 2006, Burton owned and managed ValdostaMemorials.com, LLC. He was a well-known memorialist, with numerous national publications to his credit. During this time, he also founded the Georgia Monument Builders Association.
In 2006, Burton established GeorgiaSigningAgents.com, LLC, later named LoanClosingAttorneys.com, LLC, providing real estate and loan closing services throughout Georgia and South Carolina. The law firm employed numerous attorneys. Burton retired from the State Bar of Georgia as an emeritus attorney.
He is a proud advocate for the Democratic Party and, yet a withering critic of the current Republican Party, Fox News, One America News Network, Newsmax, and other radical right-wing social media he refers to as “propaganda networks.” Burton relates to television news personality Rachel Maddow as a saint in the opposite direction. As a Yellow Dog Democrat, he is consistently relied upon to vote for Democrats.
Throughout his career, Burton has been recognized on various occasions for his service to others, receiving distinguished recognition ranging from Outstanding Young Men of America (1973); Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges (1974-75; 1980); and the Corpus Juris Secundum Award, for “Significant Legal Scholarship.” He has been recognized for his service and lifetime achievements by his Division; College Campus; City; County Government; State Assembly; State Senate; State Governor; and United States senators for his conspicuous and distinguished service and countless acts of benevolence.
During his award-winning academic career, Burton taught a wide variety of courses in Law: including Business Law; Legal Environment of Business; Legal Aspects of Business Transactions; Legal Aspects of Business Decisions; Introduction to Paralegal Studies; Introduction to Legal Assistant 1; Legal Writing; Everyday California Law; Civil and Criminal Evidence; Personnel Law; and Fundamentals of Business Law; Marketing: Principles of Marketing; Personal Selling; Oral Business Communications; Management: Introduction to Business; Management Principles; Business Management; Small Business Management; Entrepreneurship 2; Advanced Entrepreneurship; Applied Management; Human Resources Management; Negotiations; Professional Development of Managers; Contemporary World Issues (7 Habits of Highly Effective People); Introduction to International Business; and Cooperative Career Education.
Burton was an accomplished educator whose demonstrated ability to instruct and motivate his students while closely collaborating with his professional colleagues was a hallmark of his academic career. He was enthusiastic about his work and committed to student success. He could recruit business owners to address his students, and he loved assigning students to interview entrepreneurs. Burton cherished the classroom and found it immensely gratifying. He was dynamic, always overflowing with suggestions and reassurance. Burton had experience creating lesson plans and curricula targeted at a wide range of students.
Burton has a special place in his heart for all creatures, but none more than rescue animals. He always encourages others to adopt rather than buy their pets. He is a patron of animal welfare organizations that engage in the rescue, rehabilitation, and re-homing of mistreated and neglected animals. He supports spay, neuter, and microchipping programs to help reduce animal overpopulation.
Burton supports fostering and adoption of shelter animals and is a so-called “foster failure” who fell in love with his foster pets and adopted them. He derives boundless joy from his canine and feline friends and, throughout his lifetime, has adopted numerous pet companions. His beloved pets have benefited him through the phases of his life, serving as substitutes for children. He enjoys animal-centered discussions, and his support of animal welfare increases his capacity for compassion in his personal and work life.
Burton established and currently serves as president and director of the Burton Fletcher Foundation for Animals, Inc, a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) corporation dedicated to supporting organizations rescuing injured, abused, abandoned, and feral animals in South Georgia and North Florida. Burton’s theme is “We are a little charity, doing big things, with great heart!” TM
Burton has planned for his estate to fund the Burton Fletcher Foundation for Animals, Inc. Part of his foundation’s mission is to work with charitable organizations that benefit animal welfare. Burton’s Foundation generously supports animal shelters, humane societies, animal welfare organizations, and individuals in need whose support of animal welfare improves the plight of animals.
He is proud of his accomplishments in uniting, recognizing, and rewarding Animal Welfare Heroes across South Georgia. He gives unselfishly of his time, leadership skills, and financial resources. He reminds others in animal rescue organizations that they should not hide their light under a bushel basket. Upon passing, Burton’s estate will further fund the Burton Fletcher Foundation for Animals, Inc. It is dedicated to working with charitable organizations that benefit animal welfare. The foundation website is www.BurtonFletcherFoundation.org. Please feel free to visit and donate for the benefit of animal welfare organizations.
Those who know Burton appreciate his delightful smile, charitable heart, and decisive, constructive leadership. Those who know him appreciate his service life, his heartfelt concern for his community, and the love he shares with family and friends. Burton is far more than just his accomplishments to his family, friends, and co-workers. He is thought of as “just a great guy” who always goes the extra mile with a smile, humility, compassion, and boundless love.
Burton’s late paternal grandparents were Burton Eugene Fletcher (April 2, 1897, to March 29, 1968) and Ethel Mobley Fletcher (April 14, 1897, to July 15, 1983); and his maternal grandparents, Gus Esco Hunter, Sr. (December 12, 1882, to February 17, 1971); Emma Lillian Geiger Hunter (September 1, 1889, to January 12, 1973) (all buried in the McAlpin Advent Christian Church Cemetery). His late parents were Rufus Burton Fletcher, Sr. (September 4, 1923, to October 10, 1998) and Emma Callie Hunter Fletcher Dowdy (March 5, 1930, to September 6, 2019) (buried in the Live Oak Cemetery), and who last resided in Lake City, Florida. Burton cherished his best friend, Emiko Takeuchi (June 15, 1929, to February 21, 2011). (Please read Emiko’s obituary by searching “Emiko Takeuchi, obituary.”)
Burton has two younger sisters, Emma Jean Fletcher Jordan (former brother-in-law James Larry Jordan) (Wellborn, FL); Lena Fletcher (Jerome “Jerry” Patrick) Heeney (Lake City, FL); and four nieces and one nephew; Emy Lenal Jordan (David) Delgado; Lillian Jinnette Jordan (Carlos) Class; Jordan Fletcher Jordan; Sean Patrick Heeney; Colleen Caitlin Heeney; and four great-grandnieces and one great-grandnephew, Shelby Brooke Delgado; Emily Grace Delgado; Haley Jordan Delgado; Larry Drake Kinter; Jinnette Nereida Class; and countless friends and professional associates.
Burton’s cherished pet pals include Sheba, Sam, Wimpy, Tiger, and Coco (family dogs); Tom the Steer; Dynamite, Prince, and Mammy (horses); Princess and Charlie (cats); Melvin, the scarlet macaw; Muffin, Dusty, Bobby, Lucky (Boris), Precious, Jack, Walker, and Dolly (dogs); and others, will always be memorable characters in the chapters of his life!
“To laugh often and love much; to win the respect of intelligent persons and the affection of children; to earn the approbation of honest citizens and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to give of one’s self; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to have played and laughed with enthusiasm and sung with exultation; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived—this is to have succeeded.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson.
By all accounts, Burton has succeeded!
