Thomas James Burton

Thomas James Burton, aged 75 of Quitman, passed away on Sunday, September 29, 2024, in Tyler. He was born on June 2, 1949, in Dallas, to James Edwin and Polly Jeanette (Diebel) Burton. A local attorney for those of us in Wood County and beyond, Mr. Burton will be missed by many. 

A memorial service honoring Thomas James Burton will be held on Saturday, October 5, 2024 at 11:00 AM in the Lowe-Gardner Funerals and Cremations Chapel in Quitman, Texas. The Burton family will receive friends at the funeral home beginning at 10:00 AM before the service. 

Having been a member of the State Bar of Texas since September 1973, he will be remembered as an accomplished criminal attorney with more than 50 years of service. A lesser-known fact is that Tom was accomplished in more than one skill set. He began playing golf when he was 12 years old at Red Bird golf course under the tutelage of golf professional Earl Stewart. After winning many junior championships in high school, he attended the University of Texas at Arlington on a golf scholarship and in the early 70’s he obtained his PGA Tour card. Having decided on a career in law vs life on the PGA tour, he sat for the LSAT at Baylor Law School. Tom was only one of a few to be accepted into Baylor Law School with a high school diploma and only three years of college education (not having yet completed his Bachelor’s degree) – due to having scored extremely high on the LSAT. However, his passion for golf remained throughout his life, as well as his love of traveling and snow skiing. 

A longtime area resident, and a long-time fixture in our area's legal community, he was also a member of The Sweet Fellowship Church in Yantis, Texas, where he and his wife Katrina have remained faithful members. 

Surviving family includes his wife Katrina; daughter, Lori Burton Cook and her husband Heath of Mansfield; son, Jody Thomas Burton of Oklahoma; brother, Charles Burton and his wife Judi of Farmers Branch; Step-sons, David Williams and his wife Kaitlyn of Tyler, and Allen Williams and his wife Dani of Forney; niece Alana Shuma and her husband Roger of McKinney; grandchildren, Bailey Cook Potter and her husband Luke, Riley Cook, and Hayden Burton; step-grandchildren, Kameron Williams, Kinley Williams, Peyton Williams, and Reagan Williams. 

The family requests those desiring to forward memorial contributions in honor of Thomas James Burton, do so in support of the Winnsboro Animal Shelter, 835 Hope Lane, Winnsboro, TX 75494.