Burton St. George Paynter Jr.

Burton St. George Paynter, Jr., 75, of Moorhead, MN, passed away November 27, 2015, at Saint Mary's Hospital (Mayo Clinic) in Rochester, MN. He was born on May 12, 1940, in Bermuda, to the late Burton Paynter, Sr. and the late Maude (DeSilva) Paynter. He was raised on Wellington Hill and attended school in St. George's.

Burton entered military service in 1958 in Bermuda. He was a corporal in the Bermuda Militia Artillery, the Bermuda Regiment, and the Bermuda Regiment Reserve. He was also an active member of the Bermuda Royal Artillery Association.

During his years in Bermuda, he worked as a repairman for the Bermuda Telephone Company, an automotive mechanic and a communications operator for the U.S. Air Force, and a mechanic for the U.S. Navy. He met his future wife, Kelly, while both were working for the U.S. Navy in Bermuda, and were married June 14, 1982, in Towson, MD. Burton retired and became a ‘stay-at-home dad' while supporting Kelly throughout her Naval career.

Burton was an avid amateur radio operator for 55 years under the call sign VP9BP. Besides Bermuda, military relocations allowed him to operate from his home stations across the world, such as: Washington, D.C., Hawaii, Whidbey Island, WA, Guam, and finally Moorhead. He made long lasting friendships with fellow ham radio operators from across the globe.

With the girls grown, Burton began working as the Dilworth, MN, area transportation manager/driver for Coach USA, a company that transports BNSF railroad crews from location to location. No matter what time, day or night, it was common for Burton to leave on a 10 hour trip to Superior, WI, and then turn around and come right back home. He loved to travel - whether it was for work or pleasure.

In 2008, Burton was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. He continued his transportation work until he just couldn't anymore with his medical condition. After a year-long wait on the organ donor list, he was blessed with the gift of life - a new lung. He was forever grateful to his donor and family for the gift he received. Post-transplant, Burton forged a kinship with the Mennonite volunteers while residing at the Gift of Life Transplant House in Rochester. His friendships took him across the country to several Mennonite events. He cherished their fellowship and loved to listen to them sing.

Burton was the perfect embodiment of living life to its fullest. He never hesitated to strike up conversations with strangers and oftentimes made new friendships through this avenue. He had a very powerful personality that either made you laugh or had you running for the hills! There was no such thing as the ‘perfect time or place' to say what was on his mind. If he was thinking it, the words soon flowed out of his mouth. He took pride in livening up any event he took part in, and made sure he was the center of attention. It is safe to say that Burton made an impact on every person he met during his lifetime, and ‘The King' is definitely now in the spotlight in Heaven.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Kelly, Moorhead; nine children, Michael Paynter, Bermuda, Michelle White, Bermuda, Mark Paynter, Los Gatos, CA, Anthony Paynter, Bothell, WA, Monique (Rich) Pawelka, Olympia, WA, John (Lisa) Paynter, Edgewood, WA, Dana Taylor, Fargo, ND, and Katherine Paynter, Denver, CO; his twelve grandchildren, Kiaune, AllexosQ, Shane, Mercedes, Ariana, Pierce, Shianne, Destiny, Jasmine, Jason Jr., Elizabeth, Justin, Autumn, and Lillian; one great-grandson, Alahno; his four siblings, Anne Webb, Los Angeles, CA, and Roderick ‘Lynn' Paynter Sr. (Sandra), Kenneth ‘Neil' Paynter Sr.(Sharil), and Glenda Maduro, all of Bermuda.

Burton was preceded in death by his parents, Burton and Maude; his two infant brothers; his sister, Daphne Nair; and his son, Capt. Jason (Brandy) Paynter, Sr.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude and heartfelt thanks for your prayers and support during a very difficult time for our family. We deeply appreciate your sentiments of love. A special ‘thank you' to the nurses, doctors, and staff of Mayo Clinic and Saint Mary's Hospital, Rochester, and the staff and fellow residents, who we met along the way, at the Gift of Life Transplant House. Burton was given the ‘Gift of Life' and an extra six years to spend with us because of organ donation. We will never be able to thank his donor and family for giving Burton a second chance at life. You all will forever be in our hearts.