Vernon E. “Buddy” Burton, 97, of Maysville, and a native of Lewis County, passed away Sunday, January 18, 2026, at Maysville Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
He was born July 11, 1928, a son of the late Samuel B. and Mayme Corns Burton.
Buddy faithfully attended Plumville Church of Christ and was also a member of Bethany Christian Church. He worked as a carpenter for Foley Construction in Cincinnati and was a member of Carpenters Local No. 2.
In 1986, he and his wife, Laveta, worked coast-to-coast across 13 states, installing fiber-optic cable and building stations that later became properties of US Sprint.
Following World War II, he enlisted in the US Army and served as a tank gunner patrolling Germany. After his discharge, he continued serving in the Army Reserves.
He was an avid sports fan who followed the Mason County Royals basketball team, UK basketball, and the Cincinnati Reds baseball team. He enjoyed fishing, traveling to Michigan in the fall for salmon fishing, and spending the winter months in Florida fishing.
Survivors include a stepdaughter, Phyllis Mastin (Walter Boyd Soister) of Maysville; a stepson, Bryan (Valorie) Bradford of Maysville; a niece, Debbie Browning (Ron) Worsham; special friends, Paul and Jenny Sue Redmond; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins who will sadly miss him.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 35 years, Laveta Cobb Burton; his second wife of 12 and one-half years, Nancye Stamper Burton; a sister, Dorothy Mae Browning; a brother, Bruce Lee Burton; and a nephew, Dennis Browning.
Services will be at Noon Thursday, January 22, 2026, at Tollesboro Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 11918 KY 57 at Tollesboro, with Bro. Jim Rawlings, Bro. Phill Cropper, and Bro. Sam Bevard officiating. Burial will be in Bethany Christian Cemetery.
Visitation will be after 10:00 a.m. Thursday at Tollesboro Funeral Home.
Condolences may be sent at globefamilyfc.com.
