Michael Burton

Michael Burton was born November 13, 1956, to Rafe and Lora Burton, in Chicago, Illinois. He was the youngest of 7 children.

He was raised in Chicago and received his BS in Education from National College of Education in Evanston, IL, in 1978. He then went on to attend Garrett Evangelical Seminary and completed course work in Christian Theology.

Michael married his wife Micah of 37 years, in August of 1981. He worked as a Social Worker for new Navy recruits at Great Lakes Naval Base, and at a Social Service Agency in Chicago before starting his formal teaching career in 1982. Years later he became Dean of Students at the Harvard School in Chicago. Michael's strength as a husband, was grounded in his love for God. God was the key that kept his marriage and love for his family stronger than anyone could imagine. His prayers for his family were relentless!

In 1989, after a job transfer was accepted by Micah, the growing family of 4, moved to Columbus, Ohio, where Michael began his tenure at Columbus School for Girls. He and Micah went on to have 2 more children and they became a family of 6.  Michael touched many lives during his 27 years as middle school Science teacher, basketball/volleyball coach, and middle school athletic coordinator. Michael wore many other hats while teaching at CSG.  He also helped in the development of Columbus Christian Center's first school, Faith Christian Academy, and taught there for several years.

After 35 years as educator, coach, mentor, and tutor, Michael was lead to retire early in 2015 in order to fulfill a commitment to himself to attend every practice and football game of his youngest son. He was also able to fulfill his desire to do ministry work full time. His impact in the community continued via his community service at Mifflin Middle and Cassady Elementary schools, the Columbus School Board, leadership roles in the Children's ministry, Creative and Ministering Arts ministry, and serving as an ordained minister in multiple capacities at Columbus Christian Center Church.

Michael was an awesome husband, father, artist, teacher, singer, science nerd, and chef.  He was also a very sore loser when playing board games with his family, which often led to cheating!

Michael loved God and was prone to sing (and cry), when thinking or talking about God's goodness. He affected both directly and indirectly more lives than we can count with his smile and spirit. Not only did he love life itself, from the arts and music to science and learning, but he taught the people around him that very same love and passion for Creation and creating. One thing that never changed: his faithfulness to God.

Every nugget of advice that he was so willing to share, was confidently expressed with both common sense and wisdom. His spirit lives on inside of each of us: every student, every friend, his brothers & sisters, nephews, colleagues his children and wife. We will always be reminded somehow of his impact on us all. He passed suddenly on April 25th at the age of 62.

Michael is preceeded in death by his parents-Rafe & Lora Burton; 1sister- Lora V. Burton; and 2 brothers- Rafe Burton Jr. & Maurice Burton. He will forever be remembered by his wife, Micah; his children Michaun (Burton) Winborn & Corey Winborn, Michelle, Michael and Michiah; his sisters Fostoria Fuller and Alfredia Burton; and his brother John Burton.