Daniel N. Burton's Obituary
Daniel N. Burton, 81, of Lutz, Florida, passed from this life on August 25, 2015. A retired senior partner with the national law firm of Foley & Lardner, he recently achieved 50 years with The Florida Bar. He was a faithful member of the Citrus Park Church of Christ; a man of integrity, ethics, intelligence, and humor; a unique and extraordinary man who will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
Growing up in the Tampa Bay area, Mr. Burton graduated from Hillsborough High School. His early love for radio broadcasting was rewarded when he joined the USAF as a medic during the Korean War, and was transferred to become an announcer with the American Forces Korea Network because of his skill, initiative, and talent. His warm personality, character, devotion to duty, and leadership earned him the opportunity to interview American leaders in 1954 about the Panmunjom truce talks. Following military service, he worked in commercial radio and TV in New Orleans; Macon, Georgia; Orlando; and Tampa. He attended Rollins College in Winter Park and obtained his JD degree from Stetson University College of Law in 1964. He continued to work in commercial broadcasting full time while attending college and law school.
Mr. Burton headed the Tampa litigation team and Florida healthcare section of the Foley firm. He was a Fellow in the prestigious American College of Trial Lawyers and was listed in Best Lawyers in America in both litigation and healthcare law for many years. He reached Florida Bar Board Certified Civil Trial Emeritus and served 12 years on the board of The Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education. Mr. Burton represented healthcare and general business clients in commercial litigation, including the NFL (over 20 years), ESPN, General Motors, and Suzuki, and served as general counsel for Bayfront Medical Center for over 25 years. Cases included anti-trust, products liability, intellectual property, First Amendment, and medical malpractice defense. He was a Florida Certified Circuit Court Mediator and Federal Court Arbitrator. He loved practicing law and mentoring young lawyers. A respected author and speaker in the healthcare field, Mr. Burton also taught Medical Jurisprudence at Stetson. Author of numerous medical ethics articles, he was a contributing writer for the Florida Bar Journal on board certification issues, and a member of the Florida Bar Speakers Bureau. For many years he served on the St. Joseph’s Hospital Ethics Committee. He also served on many other Florida Bar professional committees and organizations and received many awards.
In 2003 he retired from practicing law and returned to broadcasting. His voiceover work included commercials for Disney, area hospitals, and many other businesses; during this time you may have been pleasantly surprised to hear his voice over the radio. He was an avid reader, lover of music, and enjoyed classic films.
Mr. Burton served as general legal counsel for Florida College in Temple Terrace for several years, and was a member of the Board of Directors for over 15 years. He acted as legal liaison for the Board, and was an adjunct professor of Business Law, Business Ethics, Biomedical Ethics, and Human Resources Management for the past eight years. Loved by his students and respected by his colleagues, he was devoted to teaching and took very seriously the role of preparing his students for their future - a way of giving back to the community after a successful legal career. Mr. Burton was predeceased by his parents Wylie and Edmund Burton; former wife Mary Britt; sister Lolita Marshall; and sons Glenn Burton and Steven Burton. He is survived by his devoted wife of 39 years, Linda Burton; son Mark Burton (Marty), Lakewood Ranch; daughter Diane McDuff, Bend, Oregon; daughters-in-law Nancy Burton and Susan Burton; grandchildren Mark Burton II, Julie McDuff (Matt Stallings), Dana McDuff, Matthew Burton, Tyler Burton, and Zachary Burton; great granddaughter Luna Jae Stallings; brother Harry Burton; brother-in-law Tom Marshall; nieces and nephews; and many caring friends and colleagues. Celebration of Life Memorial Service Thursday, September 10, 2015, at 7 pm, Temple Terrace Church of Christ, 8001 Temple Terrace Highway, Tampa. Expressions of condolence may be made at www.TrinityMemorial.com. Private family interment. Memorial donations may be made to Florida College for the “Adopt” Program: 119 N. Glen Arven Avenue, Temple Terrace, FL 33617.
We shall miss having him among us.
What’s your fondest memory of Daniel?
What’s a lesson you learned from Daniel?
Share a story where Daniel's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Daniel you’ll never forget.
How did Daniel make you smile?
