Alfred “Al” L. Burton

Alfred \"Al\" L. Burton, 86, of Bedford, Virginia, passed on Saturday, May 4, 2013, at Bedford Memorial Hospital. Al was born June 26, 1926, in Chattanooga, Tennessee to Thomas H. and Viola Cooley Burton. Al was one of the first Opticians to be licensed in the State of Tennessee where he started his career and worked as an Optician for over 45 years. He was revered by optometrists, ophthalmologists and patients alike for his unique gift and ability to discern and resolve highly complex vision problems. His hobbies in woodworking, building and mechanical pursuits earned him a reputation as a respected craftsman and \"go to\" resource for family and friends for remodeling and mechanical projects (the more challenging the better); for many years, Al rebuilt and \"flipped\" antique cars (albeit there were a number of years between rebuilding and flipping \"" hard to part with those vintage vehicles).

Al was honored with the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award for his support of the Lions Club service program, providing eyeglasses for Chattanooga-area recipients. After he retired, Al retained his license for a number of years, serving as volunteer Optician with the Remote Area Medical (RAM) Volunteer Corps.

Al is survived by his beloved wife (and guardian angel) of over 47 years, Carolyn Denney Burton; his three daughters, Judy Lynn Burton Davis (Haskel), Sherry Burton Revell (Jim) and Patricia Burton Whitmore (Dee); two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Al and Carolyn were long-time active members and supporters of Chattanooga First Seventh-day Adventist Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee, prior to moving to Bedford in 2004 and becoming active in Smith Mountain Lake Seventh-day Adventist Church. Cremation, per Al\"™s desire, is handled by Tharp Funeral Home and Crematory, Bedford, Virginia, for later interment in the family cemetery in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Memorial services will be held at the respective churches in Chattanooga and Moneta.

Memorial contributions in Al\"™s memory can be made to Smith Mountain Lake Seventh-day Adventist Church, 10802 Moneta Road, Moneta, VA 24121, or your favorite charity.

 

Memorial Service, Chattanooga, TN:

Saturday, May 18, 2013

Visitation 2:00 PM \"" 3:15 PM

Service 3:30 PM

Chattanooga First Seventh-day Adventist Church

7450 Standifer Gap Road

Chattanooga, TN 37421-1151

423-893-5105

 

Memorial Service, Smith Mountain Lake / Moneta:

Saturday, June 1, 2013

Visitation 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Service 3:00 PM

Smith Mountain Lake Seventh-day Adventist Church

10802 Moneta Road

Moneta, VA 24121

540-296-2225