April 27, 1918 — Feb. 1, 2012
Clarence E. Burton Jr., 93, passed away Feb. 1, 2012, at the Cottonwood Acute Care Center in Woodland. Clarence had been recovering at the care center since suffering a fractured femur last October.
Better known as “Shorty,” he was born April 27, 1918, at home on the Burton Ranch where he spent his entire life, never once leaving the state of California. The third of 12 children, Shorty graduated from Vacaville High School in June 1936. It was in high school that Shorty developed his lifelong enjoyment of basketball, which included his time spent as coach, manager and player for the Vacaville town team from 1940 to 1950.
Following graduation, Shorty began a career in the fruit shipping business and was employed by Pacific Fruit Exchange in Vacaville. It was from Vacaville that the first fruit of the season was delivered to the New York markets where fresh fruit was considered quite a delicacy. By the end of his career, Shorty was office manager for the W. J. Roberts Packing Company in Suisun Valley. After 32 years in the packing business, he retired in 1968 to begin a “second career” helping four of his brothers in farming the fruit ranch planted by their grandfather in the early 1880s.
For another 44 years, Shorty continued to work in the orchards until he suffered a heart attack last May. Despite this setback, Shorty remained a critical part of the ranch by patiently providing instruction and guidance.
This lifetime of hard work, however, did not prevent Shorty from taking an active role in the raising of his three youngest brothers following the death of their father. His unwavering work ethic and strong character has served as an example to the generations of family that have followed.
Shorty is survived by his brothers, Earl (Beverly), Ernest (Pat), Fred (Bonnie) and George (Stormy) of Vacaville, and Gary of Corning; sister, Margaret Cook of Sacramento; sister-in-law, Allean Burton (Buck); and brother-in-law, Bill Powell (Grace) of Vacaville.
Five siblings have preceded him in death: brothers, Lawrence, Richard, and Marion (Buck); and sisters, Ezma Jean and Grace Powell.
His large extended family of nieces and nephews, and their children, will greatly miss their Uncle Shorty.
A visitation will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012, at McCune Garden Chapel, 212 Main Street, Vacaville. A graveside service will take place at 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10, 2012, at Suisun-Fairfield Cemetery, 1707 Union Avenue, Fairfield, followed by a reception at the Vine Street District Fire Station, 420 Vine Street, Vacaville.
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Keith Conning
Clarence E. Burton was the uncle of Ray Burton (Vacaville), the 1974 State Meet discus champion at 193-0. Ray's father is Ernest, a younger brother of Clarence.
Ray is still competing in Master's competition.
Oregon Association Master's 2011
Male Field Athlete – M55 Ray Burton, throws athlete
From Aloha, OR, a member of Portland Masters Track Club Ray holds association records in previous age group in the Discus, Shot Put, Hammer, Weight Throw and Super Weight Throw. This year at Hayward Field he set a
new record for M55 in the Discus with a throw of 44.86m or 147’ 02”. He also set new record in the Shot Put with a toss of 13.11m….which is just over 43’.
http://www.oregon.usatf.org/USATF_ASSOC_37/files/e1/e1b4e44d-efe3-4bd5-8924-ea75f92d7f88.pdf
29th Hayward Classic 2011 – 5/14/2011
Hayward Field, Eugene OR
M55 Discus Throw
55 USA: + 54.44m
Name Age Team Finals
1 Burton, Ray M55 Portland Masters TC 44.86m 147-02
2 *Stines, Greg M56 Unattached 43.08m 141-04
3 *Demetrio, Ted M55 Unattached 26.17m 85-10
http://masterstrack.com/2011/05/18511/
Ray is 50th all-time in the world rankings for men 50 to 54.
World Rankings
Men - M 50 - 54 - 1.5 kg Discus
52.21 Ray Burton USA 14.12.1955
Eugene 12.05.2007 http://www.mastersathletics.net/fileadmin/html/Rankings/All_Time/discusthrowmen.htm
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