Michael Eugene Burton

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Michael E. Burton, of Hixson, Tennessee, who passed away peacefully on August 18, 2026, at the age of 65.

Born on September 22, 1960, Mike was a lifelong resident of Hixson and a man who never met a stranger. He was a loving husband, brother, uncle, friend, and a true goofball who had a way of making everyone around him laugh. His sense of humor, his big personality, and the joy he brought into a room will be deeply missed by everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.

Above all else, Mike loved his wife, Susan. Their love was at the center of his life, and those who knew him knew just how much she meant to him. He married Susan when she was 16 years old. They were married for 45 years and he was the absolute love of her life!! His family was his world, and he cherished every moment spent with the people he loved.

Mike also had a lifelong love for being on the water. If he wasn’t working, there was a good chance you could find him on the boat, enjoying the peace of the water and making memories. For Mike, all of life’s best moments were the most simple ones— being outdoors, surrounded by the people he loved, laughing, joking, and enjoying another day.

For more than 40 years, Mike dedicated himself to his work as a produce manager, beginning his career with Bi-Lo and continuing through its transition to Food City. His dedication, work ethic, and the relationships he built throughout those many years were a reflection of the kind of man he was— dependable, hardworking, and always willing to lend a hand.

Mike was a member of Green Pond Baptist Church, where his faith was an important part of his life.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Willie Jean Burton and William Thomas Burton, and his brother, Jerry Burton.

Those left behind to cherish his memory include his wife, Susan Burton; his siblings, Rick Burton and wife Kathy, Beverly Keyes and husband Bobby, and Larry Burton and wife Audrey; his uncle, Curtis “Buddy” Johnson; along with numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members, and countless friends who loved him dearly.

Mike leaves behind a legacy that cannot be measured in years or accomplishments, but in laughter, love, memories, and the lives he touched. He was the kind of person who could make you laugh when you needed it most, and his absence will leave a space that can never truly be filled.

Though our hearts are broken by his passing, we can find comfort in knowing that the love he gave so freely will remain with us. Every laugh, every boat ride, every story, every small moment, and every memory will carry a little piece of Mike forward.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:6–7

Mike’s family invites everyone who knew and loved him to join them in remembering and celebrating the life of a truly one-of-a-kind man.

Visitation will be held at Chattanooga Funeral Home North Chapel, Hixson on Friday, August 21, from 4:00–8:00 p.m. and again on Saturday, August 22, from 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m., with the funeral service immediately following. Interment will be in Hamilton Memorial Gardens.