Burton Carl Mead

Burton Carl Mead of Rogers died July 17, 2013. He was born Dec. 9, 1918, in Sharon, Okla., to Carl N. and Bertha Edna Coffland Mead. Burton graduated from Sharon High School in 1936. He joined the Oklahoma National Guard and transferred to active duty at the outset of World War II, where he served with the Army Field Artillery, 45th Division, 158th Field Artillery, A Battery, as a radio operator and forward observer in North Africa, Sicily and Italy. At the end of the war, he served as an instructor at Fort Sill, Okla. He remained a member of the Oklahoma National Guard Thunderbirds for an additional 22 years, when he retired as a first sergeant, E8. In western Oklahoma, Burton farmed, was an automotive parts salesman. He later worked for Franklin Electric in Siloam Springs, Ark. He was a farmer at heart and gardened extensively throughout his life; he was a passionate fisherman and loved fishing on Beaver Lake; he loved woodworking and created beautiful cradles for his grandchildren. He was a member of Grace United Methodist Church, Rogers, and in his late 80s participated in the woodcutting ministry of the church and was a member of Grace's mission team that went to help with repairs after Hurricane Katrina. Dec. 21, 1941, Burton married the love of his life, Betty Lu Costello. They were married for 54 years until her death in 1995. He was also preceded in death by his parents; a granddaughter, Amanda Jean Frey; a sister, Anna Morene; and his brothers, Leroy Warren, Lyman Dale, Edward Stanley and Thomas Newton Mead. Survivors include a daughter, Rebecca and her husband, Fred Hill, son, Eldon Mead and his wife, Mary Ann, and daughter, Elizabeth Mead, all of Rogers; eight grandchildren, Teresa Townsend, Michael Hill, Brent Mead, Dusten Mead, Adina Whitmer, Sean Herbig, Mayson Planck, Carl Cheadle; and eight great-grandchildren. A celebration of Burton's life will be held in Woodward, Okla., at a later date. Memorials may be sent to Grace United Methodist Church, Rogers. Condolences: www.eptingfuneralhome.webs.com.