06/15/2025
Thomas Edward Burton (88), a highly respected rancher and cowboy for over 60 years, passed away on June 12, 2025 at Matfield Green, Kansas. He was a man of integrity and hard work, known for his dedication to his family and the ranching way of life. A beloved father, husband, and friend, he leaves behind a legacy of friendship, unwavering love, hard work, and kindness. He was a devoted husband to his wife, Linda Burton and a loving father, to Teresa, T.W., Scott, and Steve.
Tom was born and raised in Chase County, Kansas. He attended grade school and high school at Matfield Green, graduating in 1955. He attended Emporia State University until he was drafted in the Army in September 1959. Tom was stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado in the office of U.S. Missile Command and served until September 1961, after which he was a member of the Army Reserves for four years. He returned to Matfield Green and worked for Wayne Rogler of Rogler, Inc. for 44 years from 1962 until the ranch was sold in October 2006. He attended Kansas State University in 1964 to study Farm Management. He served on the Chase County USD 284 school board for 16 years, ending in June 1995. He supported the National Weather Service collecting daily weather data for the Matfield Green area for 15 years from 1993 to 2008. He also served on the Matfield Green Township Board and the South Fork Watershed District 76 for several years. After retiring from Rogler, Inc., he managed his own livestock and land and supported out of state landowners with their land.
Tom always wanted to be a cowboy. As a boy, he watched the area’s ranch cowboys working cattle and spending their days out on the prairie. Tom’s dream came true when he was 24 and preparing to move to Guymon, Oklahoma for a job with Cities Service Gas. He didn’t really want to leave the area, so when Wayne Rogler asked him to come work for him on the Rogler Ranch, he quickly accepted. Through dedication to his work, Tom rose quickly through the ranks at Rogler, Inc. and took over management of the Rogler Ranch two years later. At that time, Rogler was running Brahman cattle out of Texas, a tougher breed than the Angus or Herefords of today. Tom oversaw more than 30,000 acres of land for the next 44 years with the help of Wayne Rogler’s guidance and good employees, increasing in responsibilities and rising to the level of President of Rogler, Inc. in 1993. He enjoyed the days that he could get on the range on his horse to check the cattle, fix fences, or “do whatever needed doing”. Following his retirement, Tom was recognized for bearing the large part of the responsibility for the success of the ranch for the second half of the 20th Century. All told, Tom, his brother Bill, son T.W., and grandson Brad Talkington all began as cowboys and worked cattle for years at the Rogler Ranch, constituting three generations of Matfield Green ranchers with over a century of collective experience. Under Tom’s leadership, the ranch provided a means of recreation, experience, and employment for the remaining family members and associates for decades. T.W. and Brad continue their work on the ranch today.
Tom married Rose Lawrence on April 3, 1963. Rose passed away on January 31, 1978 from lung cancer. Tom married Linda Lawrence on June 15, 1979. He was preceded in death by: his parents, Bill and Verla Burton; wife, Rose Burton; and grandson, Brant Burton. He is survived by: his wife, Linda; daughter, Teresa Talkington (Randy); sons, T.W. Burton (Rachelle), Scott Lawrence (Vicki), and Steve McGinnis (Nicole); brother, Bill Burton (Joan); 8 grandchildren; and 5 great grandchildren.
Celebration of life service will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, June 19, 2025, at Brown-Bennett-Alexander Funeral Home, Cottonwood Falls, with Pastor Rick Branson officiating. Burial will follow in Matfield Green Cemetery with military honors conducted by Fort Riley Honor Guard and Chase County All Veteran. Family requests casual attire. Friends may call from 1-8 p.m. Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at the funeral home, family will not be present. Memorial donations may be made to Matfield Township, in care of Brown-Bennett-Alexander Funeral Home, PO Box 220 Cottonwood Falls, KS 66845.
