Christopher Young Burton

Christopher Young Burton passed away on Tuesday, August 12, 2014, after a brief but valiant battle against cancer. He was surrounded by family and friends and was receive in the heavenly kingdom of his Lord and Savior. Chris was born on October 9, 1967, at Ft. Benning, Georgia, and grew up "an army brat," living in many interesting places. He graduated from Westwood High School, Austin, Texas, where he played on the football team and baseball team, earning all conference honors in baseball. He attended Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. There he was varsity baseball player for four years under coach John Skeeters. He was inducted into the Sam Houston State University Sports Hall of Fame in 2007. In his college senior year he realized his dream of being drafted by the Atlanta Braves, where he played for four years. Chris then followed his love of sports through television broadcasting at TNT in Atlanta and later KSAT12 in San Antonio, where he was a sports producer. He returned to Huntsville where longtime friends, Bert and Suzy Lyle, guided him as he reoriented his life in the service of the Lord. He also rekindled his relationship with Sam Houston State University and reconnected with many friends from his baseball days and his fraternity Delta Tau Delta. Again, Chris used his talents and love of baseball to build a business teaching and mentoring young men. It was this work that brought him the greatest satisfaction, and the outpouring of testimonials from his current and former players attest to that fact that he touched many lives. He is survived by the love of his life, Tammy Cannon, who never left his side during the most difficult days of his illness. Chris's mother, Colleen Cassidy Burton, preceded him in death. He is survived by his father, Col. USA (Ret.) Emmette Y. Burton III, and his stepmother, Jane Findling Burton; brother, MSG USA (Ret.) Emmette Y. Burton IV (Special Forces) and his wife, Julie Burton, and their daughter, Alexis Burton; sister, Molly Colleen Strande, and her husband, Robert Strande, and their children, Collin Robert, Alec James, and Caroline Grace. The family wishes to thank the doctors and staff at MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, for their excellent care and caring for Chris. The family has established a scholarship fund for baseball at Sam Houston State University in Chris Burton's name. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to this scholarship fund and sent to: Sam Houston State University, Christopher Burton Scholarship Fund, Office of University Advancement, Box 2537, Huntsville, Texas 77341-2537. A visitation will take place at Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home in Huntsville on Friday, August 15, from 5 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. A Celebration of Chris's life will take place at the University Heights Baptist Church in Huntsville on Saturday, August 16 at 10 a.m. Memorial condolences may be made to the family online at www.shmfh.com.

Christopher Young Burton

October 9, 1967 - August 16, 2014