Richard “Dewain” Burton, 69, of Stanford, KY passed away suddenly on Friday, August 29, 2025. He was born on December 19, 1955, the son of the late Lina Mae Smith and Jerry Smith.
Dewain was a graduate of Russell County High School and went on to attend Western Kentucky University on a football scholarship. He retired from UPS after many years of service and was currently employed at Ephraim McDowell Hospital.
Dewain will be remembered for his kind heart, steady presence, and love for the simple joys of life. He was an avid University of Kentucky basketball fan, found pride in his garden, loved eating breakfast with his friends everyday, and cherished evenings spent on the front porch with his wife of 45 years, Linda “Joy” Burton. His greatest joy, however, was watching his grandsons play ball and cheering them on every step of the way.
SURVIVORS:
His loving wife: Joy Burton
1 daughter & son-in-law: Andrea & Wes Irvin
2 beloved grandsons: Grady and Hudson Irvin
Brother-in-law & sister-in-law: Mike & Karen Minton
Niece: Jessica Minton
His father: Jerry Smith
1 sister: Myra Wilson
Aunt: Vanda Smith
Best friend (who was with him at the time of his death): Sherrill Wall
Many dear friends and neighbors he considered family
In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by his father-in-law and mother-in-law: Verl and Jean Minton.
Funeral Service: Friday, September 5, 2025 at 1:00pmCT at Trinity Church in Columbia, KY with Wes Irvin officiating
Visitation: After 10:00amCT on Friday at the church
Burial: Bearwallow Cemetery
Pallbearers: Alan Patterson, Keith Patterson, Josh Patterson, Jake Smith, Corey Hager, and John Witte
Honorary Pallbearers: Mike Minton, Sherrill Wall, Tommy Naylor, Tommy Browning, Dave Chafin, Royce Davis, and Logan Goggin
In his passing, Dewain gave the ultimate gift as an organ donor, a final act of generosity that will continue to bless others for years to come. His legacy will live on in the love of his family, the friendships he nurtured, and the many lives he touched along the way.
In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
Stotts-Phelps-McQueary Funeral Home in Columbia, KY is in charge of the arrangements.
