Roll Call Tribute

Danny Wayne Burton 

October 27, 1952 - September 7, 2023 

Long-time Wasilla resident Danny Wayne (Dan) Burton, 70, passed away on September 7, 2023. Services will be held at the United Protestant Presbyterian church in Palmer on September 30 at 2 p.m.

The third child of Wayne and Vivian Burton, Dan was born on October 27, 1952 in Verdigre, Nebraska. In 1963, after many moves, his family settled in Palmer, Alaska, where his parents worked at the Agricultural Experiment Station.

At his eighth grade graduation in Palmer, Dan won so many awards that his parents found it embarrassing. His high school activities included wrestling, weight lifting and playing the coronet. He graduated from Lathrop High School in Fairbanks, Alaska. He attended Texas A&M University for a year, then returned to the University of Alaska Fairbanks to complete a B.A. in Political Science (1975). He next earned a Juris Doctor at University of Colorado Boulder (1978), and was admitted to the Alaska bar (1978). He worked as an associate in the Law Office of Noel Kopperud in Wasilla (1978-1983), and as Assistant to the State of Alaska Health and Social Service Commissioner in Juneau (1983-1985). In 1985 he opened a solo practice in civil law, which continued until the time of his death. At various times he served on boards of directors for the non-profits Mat-Su Services for Children and Adults and Valley Community for Recycling Solutions.

From his early childhood Dan was a prolific reader with a phenomenal memory. He would read dictionaries, the Bible and World Book Encyclopedia for fun. He wrote poetry; at one time, a poem a day. He remembered actors and directors from Broadway productions, and was unbeatable at Jeopardy and Trivial Pursuit. In later years he developed an interest in genealogy. He was also a natural teacher. Takumi’s memories include watching different versions of Star Trek with him (although he wasn’t particularly a fan), and that he liked taking photos of eagles and swans and teaching her to identify local flora.

Dan is survived by his mother, Vivian Burton; longtime partner, Anne Velardi; his children William Burton and Takumi Veria; sisters Janet Burton and Judy Carkin; as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.