Benjamin Cato Burton

March 15, 1980 - December 16, 2020

Benjamin Cato Burton, 40, died of a sudden heart attack on December 16, 2020 at his home in Orlando, FL. He’s survived by his parents, Keith and Linda Burton; girlfriend Eva House; sister Tiffany Burton-Peltier; and sister Tracy Weldon. He was an uncle to Tabitha, Theodore, and Tiya Burton-Peltier, and brother-in-law to Dan Weldon and Jean Peltier. Benjamin was born in Kokomo, Indiana on March 15, 1980. He grew up in Novi, MI and graduated from Novi High School in 1998. Benjamin attended Eastern Michigan University, started working in manufacturing, then later finished his degree and obtained his MBA. He worked at manufacturing companies across the country that produced everything from cabinets to automotive parts before moving to Orlando in 2018 to take a job as a Lean/Quality Director for the Florida-based aerotech company JBT. It’s Benjamin’s recent success in life and his development into a responsible man that made Keith and Linda most proud. Ben had a bright professional and personal future. He and Eva had found a perfect partner in one another and were at the beginning of a long life together — they had in August purchased a beautiful home in Orlando. Benjamin had a big heart and was always there when his family needed him. He loved watching Tiffany be a mother and was a dedicated, proud uncle who adored his nieces and nephew. He never missed a birthday party and said he felt lucky to have in his niece a second, little Tiffany. Benjamin was also an animal whisperer and cat dad who referred to himself as a “cat couch” because Kitty, Gato, and Bonkers would spend hours laying on him. Ben’s friends remember him as someone whose enthusiasm for life inspired those around him. He could find humor in any situation and was a rare breed with a distinct view of the world. Who else among his friends found joy in Nordic metal bands like Therion, was a David Hasselhoff aficionado, can discuss the subtleties of the world’s finest bourbons and was a math whiz? But above all, Ben was regarded as a kind, humble and genuine guy — a true and reliable friend who honestly cared about how others were doing. Though he lived in different cities around the country throughout his adult life, one could sit down with Ben after not seeing him for a few years and pick up right where they last left off. People like this are lifelong friends, the best kind that there are. They’re extremely rare and Ben will be impossible to replace. At JBT, coworkers described Benjamin as a talented manager and Relentless Continuous Improvement (RCI) expert. He was also a gentleman who was smart, articulate and always willing to help — a friend. He designed many of JBT’s SQDC boards around the shop and provided Lean training. Benjamin made the company Leaner and better, and coworkers say he broke down complex problems into easy concepts — the mark of a true teacher. He believed that even during a pandemic “if the people were here, we should be here too.” Benjamin took the lead on important projects and prepared JBT’s ISO response for weeks. When the company received a simple acceptance, they were elated. It is tough to find that good energy when preparing for an audit. Benjamin had that good energy. A service for Benjamin will be held on Dec. 28 at 1 pm at the Community Funeral Home at 910 W. Michigan St. Orlando, FL. It’s a small, closed family gathering due to the pandemic.