David Gene Burton

David Gene Burton, 85, of North Little Rock danced his way into heaven on Wednesday, August 8, 2018, due to complications from Alzheimer's disease. He was born in Little Rock, Arkansas to Melvin and Helen Burton. He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Boyd, and his first wife Nancy Sylvester Burton. He attended Forest Park Grammar School, Pulaski Heights Junior High, and Little Rock High School (class of 1951). He graduated from University of New Mexico with a degree in civil engineering. After traveling the world with the United States Navy, he then settled at Los Alamos National Laboratory. In response to a family emergency, David returned to Arkansas to run the family furniture store. His varied and fulfilling career was capped at Entergy working at Arkansas Nuclear One. As a volunteer, David changed the course of soccer in Arkansas and throughout the South. His skilled leadership as state president, Southern Regional Director, and board member of United States Soccer Federation earned his induction into the United States Youth Soccer Southern Regional Hall of Fame. David was also a lifetime member of the Optimist Club, a board member of Lakewood Property Owners' Association, and an enthusiastic member of the Progressive League Dinner Club. David wore many hats and embodied seemingly contradictory traits, but pulled it all off with his irrepressible spark and zeal for life. He was kind, firm, serious, playful, truthful, and full of malarkey. He was marathon runner, ponytail and motorcycle, engineer, tickler-in-chief, sailor, father, dancer and lover. He was not to be trusted at card games. He brought joy to others with his infectious laughter and jokes and was and will remain loved by all. He is survived by his wife, Elaine Burton; daughters, Jill Burton (Denise Dowd), Kendal Leeson (Derrick); son, Ben Burton; stepdaughter, Maggie Tarbox (Brian); stepsons Christophe, Peter (Jamie Tribo), Joseph (Emily Crawford-Block), and John Block; his sisters, Fran White and Judy Chreist (Steve); and his brother, Marion Burton. Others who will miss him include his five grandchildren and a host of extended family and friends. The family would like to thank the all staff of Memory Care at Good Shepherd, especially David's running partner, Linda Mays, LPN, and DeeDee Cato, wonderwoman, for loving David where he was each day and for embracing his playful spirit. Thanks also to those at Hospice Home Care Inpatient Center for traveling with us on a difficult portion of David's journey. Friends are invited to join David's family in celebrating his life and final send-off to heaven. The event will take place at Smith North Little Rock Funeral Home's reception hall, 1921 Main St., North Little Rock, Ark., 72114 from 4-7 p.m., on Friday, August 17, 2018. A private service will be held at a later time. The family requests that, rather than flowers, his life be honored by kicking a soccer ball with a child, cheering on a team at the local pub, or joining in the annual Walk to End Alzheimer's. Memorials may be made to https://act.alz.org.vOnline obituary at www.smithfamilycares.com.