Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, June 20, 1994 TAG: 9406200064
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Burton had been in failing health in recent years after suffering a stroke and undergoing heart bypass surgery. He recently was moved from a private nursing home to the Virginia Veterans Care Center in Salem.
Burton was superintendent in Roanoke County for 15 years.
"He was a leader whose talents were suited to the time of rapid growth in the county," said Bayes Wilson, who succeeded him as superintendent. "He contributed much to county schools. I was privileged to have worked with him. He helped build a lot of schools, and we all had great respect for him."
Burton, a native of rural eastern Tennessee, was considered a consummate diplomat who kept the schools on an even keel during times of runaway growth followed by financial stress and growing criticism of public education.
He was regarded as a Southern gentleman who smoothed ruffled feathers, maintained smooth feathers and settled disagreements behind the scenes.
Two years before he retired, Burton said in an interview, "An old, sage superintendent told me one time, `Son, if you want to last a while in that office, stay out of the newspapers and off the radio and television.' "
Burton retired as superintendent June 30, 1980.
Burton and his wife, the former Jimmye Pratt of Kingsport, Tenn., continued to live in Salem after he retired.
Burton considered one of his main jobs to be public relations. He vigorously promoted the school system while avoiding controversy.
"Public relations became a household word," he once said in an interview. "I worked at that 24 hours a day, selling our school system, meeting the needs of the children."
Like many other suburban school divisions, the county enjoyed a reputation for quality - test scores above state and national averages, low dropout rates and more than half of its graduates going to colleges.
Burton was so popular with his school boards and most other county officials and citizens that he could have served another term as superintendent.
The Roanoke County Vocational School, after its size was doubled in 1979, was renamed the Arnold R. Burton Technology Center.
Burton was born May 15, 1915, in Rogersville in rural Hawkins County, Tenn., where he grew up and spent most of his education career. He attended Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tenn., and started his career in 1938 as an English teacher and basketball coach in his native county.
During World War II, Burton was an instrument flying instructor in the Army Air Corps. In 1952, he received a master's degree in secondary education school administration from East Tennessee State University.
Burton was an educator in his home county for two decades - including 12 years as a high school principal - before moving to Roanoke County in 1961.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
by CNB