Paul Burson

A proud, life-long resident of Carey, Paul Arden Burson, 103, joined his wife of 74 years, Jeanne Yvonne (Chapman), when he passed into eternal life on July 26, 2024, while at Birchaven in Findlay.
He was born Jan. 19, 1921, in Carey, to Earl Stanley and Della Mae (Newcomer) Burson. Paul had an older sister, Vera (died 1940), and younger brother, Dr. Reid (died 1995).
Active in many organizations and band during his Carey High School years, Paul also served as class president three of his four high school years while also serving as business manager for the yearbook and a cheerleader before graduating in 1939. Near the conclusion of his junior year, his mother passed and two years later his sister died.
Following high school, Paul entered Wittenberg College in the fall of 1939 and joined Phi Kappa Psi fraternity followed by two years at Ohio State before WWII interrupted his college education and he became part of the “greatest generation” serving in the Navy from January 1942-September 1945. Paul qualified for a slot in the Naval intelligence department and moved to the D.C. area where he worked with others to break the Japanese code; for this effort he was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation.
In 1943, his father married Laura Knepper Kemerley. As many did during the war, Paul took a leave, returning in September 1943 to marry his life-long sweetheart, Jeanne, before they moved to California where she remained while he was stationed at Pearl Harbor. Following his 1945 discharge, Paul finally completed his undergraduate work at UC Berkeley, graduating in 1946.
Paul and Jeanne then moved to Columbus where he entered OSU Law School. Daughter, Jan, arrived later in 1946 and he graduated in 1948, passing his bar in 1949, the same year son, Dave, was born. As a result of his college experiences, Paul was an avid supporter of Wittenberg and Ohio State and passed the love on to his family – seven members attended Witt and most became Buckeye fans. A move back to Carey followed where Paul began the first of many business, industry, and philanthropic endeavors and his third child, Judi, arrived in 1957.
Paul was a practicing attorney 1949-2001. He opened the Burson Law Office (which became Burson-Beck when Linden Beck joined the practice) and the Burson Insurance Agency (later renamed Burson Bakies Insurance Agency) where he was one of the first 13 agents for Cincinnati Insurance. At the same time Paul joined his father in the Burson Clothing Store (later known as Burson-Hale Clothing and Jewelry Store) and began his active involvement in the community. He was one of the charter members of the local Jr. Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees) chapter and eventually served as a state vice president; he was a lifelong member of Kiwanis (his father was a charter member) and served as president. Several board leadership roles filled Paul’s years: Dorcas Carey Public Library; president of Carey school board, where he presented Judi her diploma; superintendent of Christ Lutheran Church Sunday school and chair of the Memorial Trust Fund; executive board of governors of Ohio Bar Association; advisory board: Blanchard Valley Health Center; and president, Wittenberg Alumni Association. Paul later was presented the Wittenberg Class of 1914 Award of Distinction after being nominated by his granddaughter, Julie Kottke Valenti, a Witt alum.
Paul was instrumental in bringing many businesses and industries to Carey, some of which he was owner or part owner: president, Carey Plastics Manufacturing Company and vice president, Wyandot Industries. He also helped develop the Burson Apartment building in downtown Carey and Scott’s Inn Hotels; during this time, he and Jeanne were part owners of the KOA near Vanlue and owned several farms.
Masons and Eastern Star occupied much of Paul and Jeanne’s time for several years. Paul was raised to Master Mason by Foothill Lodge F & AM 564 of Oakland, Calif. He joined Carey Masonic Lodge F&AM #420 and recently received his 80-year member pin from the Grand Master. Paul was a member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Toledo and the Zenobia Shrine in Toledo. He and Jeanne were Worthy Matron and Patron of Carey Order of Eastern Star (now Warpole #366). Paul held memberships in many organizations over the years; he became a Kentucky Colonel as a result of his son-in-law, Doug Kottke.
A sense of philanthropy was utmost in importance throughout Paul’s entire life. He and Jeanne provided large donations to Dorcas Carey Public Library, the Village of Carey for community development, Wittenberg University and Blanchard Valley Carey Health Center; additionally smaller donations were made to various organizations and anonymously to many in need. He was a wonderful role model to all his family, showing that much is expected when one is blessed.
Family was the most important to Paul and Jeanne, hosting most major holiday get-togethers and numerous summer visits both in Carey and Fort Myers, Fla., where they began spending time in the ’80s continuing through the mid 2010s. Paul’s guidance and support of and to all his family members is legendary and will be sorely missed. Remembering him with much love and fond memories are his children: Jan Kottke (Doug), Dave Burson (Connie) and Judi Franko (Jim); grandchildren: Julie Valenti (Steve), Chris Kottke (Mary), Jeff Burson (Jen), Christie Burson, Bob Holmberg and Tom (named after Paul) Holmberg (Katie); great-grandchildren: Kate (named after Paul) and Steven Valenti, Lana (named after Paul) and Grace Holmberg and Aria Burson; nephew and nieces: Phil Burson (Denise), Pam Scott, Peg Mills (Tim) and Penny Rankin.
Visitation will be Sunday, Aug. 11, from 2-4 p.m. at Stombaugh-Batton Funeral Home, 225 W. Findlay Street, Carey, OH 43316. A Masonic service will immediately follow the visitation. A second visitation will be held 10:15-11 a.m. Monday, Aug 12, and celebration of life will follow at 11 a.m., both at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, Carey.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Carey Historical Society (202 W. Findlay, P.O. Box 202, Carey, OH 43316), Dorcas Carey Public Library (236 E. Findlay Street, Carey, OH 43316), or Alzheimer’s Association (ACT.Alz.org/donate).
Online condolences, as well as fond memories, may be shared with Paul’s family by visiting www.stombaughbatton.com.