Richard Burton: Cowboys' Last Ride
Richard Burton - Cowboys Last Ride
Richard Burton of Claresholm, Alberta passed away at the Claresholm General Hospital in the presence of family on January 7, 2026.
Rick is survived by his loving wife Colleen, daughter Kim (Darren), son Adam (Karli), and his most precious grandchildren Fara, Cate, Kassie and Blake. Rick was predeceased by his wife Susan, and his parents Jean and Dr. Gordon Burton.
Rick was born in Montreal in 1951, where his father was teaching at McDonald College - McGill University. Shortly after Rick’s birth the family returned to Alberta to take the reins at Burke Creek Ranch in the Porcupine Hills west of Claresholm. Rick and his brothers John, Jay and Randy lived in Claresholm during the school year with their mother, and weekends and summers were spent working on the ranch. It was here where the foundation for so many genuine lifelong friendships were planted, and where at 15 he met Susan Dixson who he would marry 8 years later.
Rick attended SAIT for mechanics in 1971 where he learned lifelong skills that would be used on the ranch literally to his last days. He also formed a few very close friendships that he would maintain to the end. In 1973 Rick and Susan were married and shortly after returned to Claresholm to work alongside his family at the ranch his grandfather had established in 1890. In these sacred hills Rick and Susan built their home and raised their cherished family.
Although Rick grew up with a love of engines, his heart truly belonged in the hills. He found deep purpose in raising cattle, improving the operation, and caring for the land entrusted to him. Some of his most cherished memories were the many hours spent beside his father, running a bulldozer to control invasive poplar and protect the native grasslands he loved so dearly. Rick devoted himself to stewarding this land for future generations, continuing that work with quiet dedication until just two weeks before his passing.
Rick followed in his fathers’ footsteps and was a strong advocate for the cattle industry. Among numerous roles Rick sat as the chairman of Alberta Cattle Commission and Alberta Grazing Leaseholders. He was an active member of the Waldron Grazing Co-op and Western Stock Growers Association and worked as an industry advocate on countless committees. Rick would always speak his mind, and was never opposed to taking a stance on controversial topics. A lifelong mentor and advocate for cattle producers, he leaves a lasting legacy.
In 2018, Rick lost his beloved wife, Susan, a loss that forever shaped his heart and left him believing he might never love again. With time, however, he was blessed to find love once more with Colleen (Bonnar) Whitehead. They were married in October 2022, and Colleen became Rick’s devoted companion, trusted confidante, travel partner, and, in time, his caregiver. Together, they shared these last years rooted in their love for one another, taking motorcycle trips, river cruises, train excursions, road trips and time on sandy beaches. Together they also shared simple days on the ranch that meant so much to Rick.
Rick was deeply comforted to have his children, Kim and Adam, working alongside him, and he took great pride in knowing the ranch would be lovingly stewarded by the next generation. A third-generation rancher, Rick cared deeply about leaving behind the legacy of his own life’s work and that of his ancestors, to be carried forward with pride by the hands and hearts of the fourth and fifth generations.
Rick’s life will be celebrated Jan 23 at 1:00 pm at the Claresholm Community Centre. In lieu of flowers, tributes in Rick’s memory can be made to the Claresholm General Hospital Palliative Care, in care of The Claresholm and District Health Foundation, or to the Prostate Cancer Centre (Southern Alberta Institute of Urology).