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Dallas Burton unexpectedly passed away Friday, September 18. The entire Dairy Industry and the Bullvine family extends our deepest sympathy to his wife Linda, and their entire family.
Dallas was an icon in the purebred dairy business touching so many lives with his unlimited creativity, generosity and sense of humor. He will be missed immensely.
Dallas Eugene Burton, age 65, of Berryton, Kans., passed away Friday, Sept. 18, 2015. He died as a result of a single-car accident near his home. He was wearing his seatbelt.
Dallas was born on Aug. 22, 1950, at the Stubenhofer Home in Strong City, Kans., to John E. and Eldora Mae (Sherffius) Burton. He grew up on a dairy farm in rural Cottonwood Falls, Kans., and graduated from Chase County High School in 1968. He graduated from Emporia State University in Emporia, Kans., in 1972 with a degree in Biology and Physics. He married Jill Staton on Feb. 14, 1970. They had two children, Shawn and Kevin.
After graduation, he worked as the Secretary of the Kansas Holstein Association and also as the editor of the Kansas Holstein Quarterly magazine. He eventually started his own business selling dairy cattle, which led to a sale he conducted with another dairyman, Ed Fellers. The one-time partnership led to a 30-year business relationship as Burton-Fellers Sales, LLC. The company specialized in one-of-a-kind sales that were innovative to the dairy industry, and revolutionized genetics and breeding. One of their early ventures, the Holiday E.T. Extravaganza, was held annually for more than two decades and was one of the industry’s premier events. Burton-Fellers Sales also managed the annual National Convention Sale for many years, as well as other prominent dairy events.
Dallas later started his own sales company, Burton Consulting, LLC. He continued to manage dairy sales until his passing. He recently managed the National Holstein Convention Sale in June 2015.
He also started a successful dairy website, www.DairyAgendaToday.com. The site features industry news and commentary, and has live-streaming sales online.
Dallas was admired and well respected in the dairy industry. He took pride in everything he accomplished, from hand-picking cattle for his sales to personally designing almost every sale catalog he produced. He also worked to preserve the history of the industry, including many important documents and photos. His reach crossed generations, and he will be long-remembered for his vast contributions and love of dairy cattle.
Dallas married the love of his life, Linda Mae Parsons, on Sept. 19, 1992, at the Kirby House in Abilene, Kans. The couple lived in Abilene before moving to Berryton in 1996. As a couple, they enjoyed hosting parties and family get-togethers, and traveling and spending time with dear friends.
A practical joker, Dallas always loved sharing a laugh with friends and family. He was an understanding, thoughtful, patient man who knew life was a “do-it-yourself job.” He was a skilled woodworker, and loved crafting unique items for his six grandchildren. He will be forever remembered by those he touched.
Dallas is survived by wife, Linda, of Berryton, Kans.; two sons: Shawn Burton (Debra) of Basehor, Kans., and Kevin Burton (Alleyn) or Phoenix, Ariz.; two step-sons: Shawn Forsberg (Michelle) of Rose Hill, Kans., and Shae Forsberg of Salina, Kans.; a sister, Velva Burton Carter (John) of LeCompte, La.; two brothers: Vaden L. Burton (Sharon) of Sloan, Iowa, and Delwin K. Burton (Sharon Lea) of Emporia, Kans.; a sister-in-law, Deanna K. Burton of Emporia, Kans.; six grandchildren: Garrett and Hunter Forsberg of Rose Hill, Kans., Kyleigh Forsberg of Salina, Kans., Andrew and Maya Burton of Overland Park, Kans., and Maris Burton of Phoenix, Ariz.; nine nieces and nephews : Lori Vanderlick (Thomas) , Jim Carter (Pixie), Kristi Butler (Ricky), Sarah Harvey (Andrew), Kyle Burton (Michelle), Matt Burton (Markie), Renae Fletcher (Jeff), Adam Hagemann (Stacey) and Jared Hagemann (Abby); and 20 great-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, John E. and Mae Burton and a brother, Dennis D. Burton.
A celebration of life service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26, at the Flint Hills Community Church in Cottonwood Falls, Kans. Cremation will follow the service and inurnment will be in Prairie Grove Cemetery at a later date.
There will be a visitation from 6-7:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 25, at the Brown-Bennett-Alexander Funeral Home. Memorial contributions can be sent in care of the funeral home, P.O. Box 220, Cottonwood Falls, KS 66845. Online condolences and memories can be left at www.brown-bennett-alexander.com and www.dairyagendatoday.com. Donations to the Dallas Burton Memorial Scholarship can be sent c/o Marty Matlock, 9997 Allisonville Rd., Suite A, Fishers, IN 46038.
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