John Burson
1923 -
John Burson was born in Walton County and grew up on a farm there. He went into the army in 1943 and was deployed to the European Theatre where he served in the Battle of the Bulge. After the war, Burson returned home and began a career with Southern Bell Telephone and Telegraph Company in Covington, first as a lineman and then as the manager of the engineering department. It was there that he met and married Ruth Hull. They relocated from Covington to Oxford in 1951.
Burson served two terms on the Oxford City Council, two terms on the Newton County Board of Education, and as chairman of the board of directors of the Oxford Historical Cemetery Foundation.
Burson served two terms on the Oxford City Council, two terms on the Newton County Board of Education, and as chairman of the board of directors of the Oxford Historical Cemetery Foundation.
As a founding member of the Oxford Lions Club, Burson helped organize the Oxford Volunteer Fire Department and charter Troop 211 of the Boy Scouts of America. He remained active in the B.S.A. for 60 years as scout master, explorer advisor, and club master. He also served on the district and Atlanta Area Council Committee. In acknowledgement of his invaluable contribution, Burson received the highest adult honor offered by that organization.
Dubbed “Mr. Evangelism” by his fellow churchgoers, Burson is a very active member of Allen Memorial United Methodist Church, where he has served in every office except that of treasurer.
Dubbed “Mr. Evangelism” by his fellow churchgoers, Burson is a very active member of Allen Memorial United Methodist Church, where he has served in every office except that of treasurer.