02/20/2026
Elmer Ray Burton, 79, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, passed away on Monday, February 2, 2026, just three days shy of his 80th birthday. Born on February 5, 1946, in Tulsa, Elmer lived a life deeply rooted in the city he called home and centered around the people he loved most-his family.
Elmer grew up in Tulsa, shaped most profoundly by his grandparents, Adam and Gladys McCully, and his parents, Jim and Helen Hughes. From them, he learned the values that would define his life: hard work, loyalty, resolve, and taking care of your own. He attended Webster High School, where those early lessons continued to take hold.
In 1964, Elmer joined the United States Navy Seabees, a decision he took great pride in. One of the proudest moments of his life was being sworn into the Navy by his uncle, Johnny R. McCully, a Master Chief in the U.S. Navy and a Seabee himself. Elmer served six years in the Navy, including deployment to Vietnam, carrying that experience-and the quiet strength it instilled in him-through the rest of his life.
After returning home to Tulsa, Elmer went to work for General Sash and Door, before beginning what would become a more than 30-year career at Smithco Engineering. He retired in 2004, earlier than planned due to health issues, including the loss of his eyesight. Though unexpected, retirement never changed who he was-steady, resilient, and determined to keep moving forward.
On February 12, 1965, Elmer married the love of his life, Lola Burton, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. They remained married until his passing, building a life together grounded in devotion, shared values, and family.
Elmer was endearingly grumpy, unapologetically ornery, and genuinely funny. He had a way of sounding intimidating at first-steady as an oak, with a voice that could stop a room-but that impression never lasted long. Beneath it was a big heart, a quick wit, and a deep need to make sure everyone around him felt safe, protected, and taken care of. If you needed to learn how to do something-anything-Elmer was ready to teach you. Whether you asked for help or not.
Family was paramount to him. It wasn't just important-it was everything. His grandchildren were his pride and joy, and he loved them fiercely. He coached his sons, Jim and Terry, in baseball when they were young-not because he loved baseball, but because he loved kids and believed deeply in helping them learn and grow. That belief carried through every stage of his life.
Most of his nieces and nephews admit they were a little scared of him at first. The look, the voice, the presence. But it never took long for Elmer to pull a prank, crack a joke, or give them a hard time in a way that made it clear-you were loved. He enjoyed giving people a hard time almost as much as he enjoyed making people laugh.
As a young man, Elmer worked at the Westside YMCA, where he cared for horses, taught gymnastics, and instructed kids in rifle shooting and archery. He carried a lifelong love of the outdoors-hunting, fishing, and especially running beagles while rabbit hunting. He loved catfishing and crappie fishing and passed those passions on to his sons from the time they were young. Many lessons were learned in the woods or on the water-most of them about patience, persistence, and getting back up when things didn't go your way.
Elmer believed in hard work and personal resolve. His advice was simple and unwavering: work hard, don't wait on your dreams, go get them, and keep getting up. He lived those words and passed them on to everyone lucky enough to listen.
He is survived by his loving wife, Lola Burton; his sons, Jim Burton and Terry Burton; his grandchildren Cori and husband Angel, Jabe, Rilee and husband Micah, Harper, Elaina, Giana, and Nathan; and his great-granddaughter Camila. He is also survived by his siblings Dorvel Burton; Robert Hughes; Jim Hughes and his wife Betsy, Maureen Hughes, Sisters Susan and Krystal and brother Bobby, as well as many extended family members who loved him dearly.
Elmer was preceded in death by his sister Debbie Hughes, his brother John Hughes, his parents Jim and Helen Hughes and Elmer D. Burton, and his grandparents Adam and Gladys McCully, and His best friend, Johnny Barbee, who held a special place in his heart.
What will be missed most is talking with him-his advice, his resolve, the stories he told (whether they were true or completely made up), and the steady presence he brought into every room. He changed the people around him by enriching their lives with love, protection, and quiet strength.
Visitation will be held at Mark Griffith Funeral Home on Monday, February 9, beginning at 8:00 a.m., with family viewing from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at the same location on Tuesday, February 10, at 10:00 a.m.
Elmer Ray Burton leaves behind a family shaped by his love, strengthened by his lessons, and forever better for having been his.
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