Bruce Edwin Anthony Burton, age 67, passed away after an extended illness, on November 26, 2018 at Pacifica Senior Living, Peoria, Arizona with his daughter, Tracy, by his side. Interment will be June 14, 2019 at 10:00 am at the Salem Baptist Church Cemetery, GA Hwy. 26 East, Cochran, Georgia with military honors.

Born, May 5, 1951, in New Orleans, Louisiana, Bruce grew up in Cochran and spent most of his adult life in the Metro Atlanta area. He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl LaRue and Neola Bonnette Burton; brother-in-law Jimmy Bowen; nephew Kelly Bowen and sister-in-law, Barbara J. Lanasa.

In 1970, Bruce graduated from Cochran High School and joined the United States Marine Corps. He was stationed at Marine Corps Air Station, New River, North Carolina where he was a helicopter hydraulics mechanic. After eight years and three months and attaining the rank of Sergeant, Bruce returned to civilian life and worked as a heavy equipment and diesel engine mechanic.

Bruce is survived by his daughter, Tracy (Joseph) Kwiatkowski, granddaughters Kylee and Keira and grandson, PFC Kaleb Kwiatkowski, (United States Army) of Glendale, Arizona and his daughter-in-law, Jennifer Patrick and granddaughter, Peyton of Pitts, Georgia. Sisters, Norma Bowen, of Hawkinsville, Mary St. John (Brian) of Vidor, Texas and Iris Oberry (Gregory) of Cochran. Brothers, Stephen Burton (Phyllis) of Cochran, Carl Patrick Burton (Maureen) of Spirit Lake, Idaho and Ralph Burton of Metairie, Louisiana. He leaves a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and one great, great nephew, Emerson Michael Piland of Mansfield, Texas, who was born on the day of Bruce's passing.

Memorials may be donated to the Salem Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, Attention: Deborah Fordham, 107 Salem Church Rd., Cochran, GA 31014

A special thank you to Mathis Funeral Home and a very heartfelt thank you to Kenneth and Patricia Hunter.