After a valiant battle with osteosarcoma, Matthew Robert Burton, age 17, died peacefully at his home on December 3, 1994.
Matt was born on August 20, 1977 to Robert A. and Debra L. (Baughman) Burton in Salt Lake City, Utah. He and his family lived in Salt Lake until moving to Bountiful in 1985. Matt finished grade school at Muir Elementary and then attended Mueller Park Junior High School. At the time of his passing, he was a senior and honor student at Bountiful High School and was listed in "Who's Who" among America's high school students.Matt enjoyed sports of all kinds, especially skiing, golf and basketball. He loved theater and drama and participated in summer theater workshops, classes and associated productions at the University of Utah. He loved and participated in several "Especially for Youth" (EFY) programs sponsored by the LDS Church and Brigham Young University. He also enjoyed working part time with two of his uncles and his Grandfather Burton at Burton Lumber and Hardware Company.
Matt was active in the LDS Church, served in various Aaronic Priesthood leadership capacities, and was a recipient of the Duty to God Award. Matt has a special love for the Savior and his fellowman, and is truly a young man "without guile." He set a sterling example of integrity, faith, charity, patience and courage for his family and friends to follow. Through his EFY, church and school associations, Matt met many noble friends whom he dearly loved and who loved him. These wonderful friends brightened his life and supported him ceaselessly in his courageous battle with cancer.
Matt is survived by his parents, Robert and Debra; his brother, Tom; his sister, Lindsay; and his grandparents, Milo and Carolyn Baughman and Robert T. and Dorothy Burton. He is also survived by four uncles, five aunts and 12 cousins.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, December 7, 1994 at 12 noon in the Mueller Park Stake Center, 1800 East Mueller Park Road, Bountiful. Friends may call at Russon Brothers Mortuary, 295 North Main, on Tuesday, December 6 from 6-8 p.m. and on Wednesday at the church from 10:30-11:30 a.m. prior to the service. Interment will take place at Lakeview Cemetery.
