Kenneth Jerome Burton

Kenneth Jerome Burton was born March 6, 1944, the first child of Kenneth Oliver and Audrey Johnson Burton in Menomonie, Wisconsin. Although a midwesterner by birth, Utah was his home base from the early days of high school to his final breath. Ken died at home December 27, 2024, from the ravages of Atypical Parkinson’s and other maladies.
Ken began his tenure in Utah at Granite High School making new friends, working on the yearbook staff, and graduating in the class of 1962. He then moved on to obtain a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Utah. With degree in hand, Ken landed a job that would direct his life path – working in the box office at Pioneer Memorial Theatre. Later with a Master of Fine Arts in Theatre with an emphasis in Arts Administration and a summer session at Harvard University Institute in Arts Administration he became the theatre’s full time Manager working with Dr. Keith Engar and a wonderful, creative staff. Ken successfully managed the administrative and financial arm of the theatre for many years.
During that time, Ken noticed Tina Fletcher, a high school senior, working as an usher for many productions at Pioneer Theatre. They dated for two years and were married in September 1969. They left for a brief honeymoon in San Francisco in Ken’s VW Bus, Harvey, slept on the floors of friends, and had a grand time. For 55 years, Ken and Tina were traveling companions, partners in life, and above all, true friends.
After leaving Pioneer Theatre in 1984, Ken briefly worked off campus and then returned for stage 2 of his career at the U working in development and fundraising with outstanding, dedicated people in Mechanical Engineering, Math, and finally in the College of Mines and Earth Sciences with Dean Frank Brown. Ken was truly a “Utah Man” by day and a season ticket holder and loyal fan of Pioneer Theatre, Utah Basketball, and Gymnastics.
Off campus, Ken was on several boards and councils over the years: Salt Lake City Arts Council, Repertory Dance Theatre, Utah Cultural Alliance, and Art Access. He loved being involved with creative, talented individuals who envisioned an even better community for all.
A sidebar to Ken’s employment at Pioneer Theatre was a talent agency, Burton and Perkins, that he and his long-time associate, Ginger Perkins, formed not only to identify opportunities for the talent he saw throughout the community, but also to connect this great talent with producers and others coming to the area with projects and films.
There are no fancy awards for being a good dad or grandpa, but if there were, Ken would have been at the front of the line for those. His children, Katie and Andrew, will not forget the countless hours Ken spent helping out in the Open Classroom, attending their activities, driving to swim meets and workouts, and just being there. Ken was a super dad.
The award continues to Super Grandpa – or Pamp as he was named by Kennedy, his oldest grandchild. Ken, days home from a trip to Germany, which included surprise surgery for a ruptured achilles tendon, was the “nanny” to Kennedy (who incidentally shares his same birthday). He hobbled around and established his role as outstanding care provider for the newborn and later for Macy and Hanna whenever needed. Ken would always step up and rise to the occasion – for Tina, his children, and his grandchildren.
The love of travel took Ken and Tina to many places around the world. Among his favorites were visiting Italy many times, Patagonia and South America, China, and Turkey. But, perhaps it was the family trips to Coronado and Sun Valley that brought the family memories together and created fun times that delighted Ken.
One final memory that perhaps must be noted is that Ken was an absolute whiz at the New York Times Spelling Bee – consistently reaching Genius level and often Queen Bee status, even up to six days before his passing. We have his stats to prove it! (He would appreciate that we mentioned this)
Ken is remembered and loved by his wife Kristina (Tina) Burton, his daughter Catherine (Jake) Nelson, his son Andrew (Toshiko) Burton, and by his adoring granddaughters, Kennedy Nelson, Macy Nelson, and Hanna Burton. He also leaves behind his sister, Sandra Burton, her children and families, his sister-in-law and brother-in-law Kathy and Tim Weiler, and numerous cousins across the country.
In lieu of flowers, the family would suggest a contribution to the newly established Ken Burton Endowed Scholarship in the Department of Theatre, College of Fine Arts, which will be awarded to students in any area of theatre studies at the U. By mail: University Advancement Office, PO Box 58006, Salt Lake City, UT 84158 or on line: https://ugive.app.utah.edu/designation/5805 (note for the Ken Burton Scholarship) or to a charity of your choice.
A gathering to celebrate Ken’s life will be held March 19, 2025, 5:30pm-7:30pm at the Ken Garff University Club located at Rice-Eccles Stadium at the University of Utah.