Brent Merrett Burton, 51, of Jacksonville, Florida, passed away on December 11, 2022, after a life-long battle with many complex medical conditions, beginning with his diabetes diagnosis at age five. His family was told that he’d never live to see a teenage year. Obviously, they had never met a person like Brent before, as he exceeded numerous expectations through countless surgeries and diagnoses.

Brent was born in August of 1971 in Oberlin, Ohio and was shortly after adopted by Gary Burton and Diane Dyke Burton, making him the little brother to Kristen Burton. Brent encouraged many people about adoption stating, “My mom and dad may not have created me and given birth to me; but even bigger than that, they chose and even paid to love me.” After his mother remarried to Robert Pegan, Brent not only gained an extra father; but he later got to be the big brother to Mark Pegan. Brent had many passions throughout his life. He enjoyed sports, motorcycles, cars, boats, hunting, fishing, music, horses, working with tools, grilling/ cooking/baking, lighthouses, and being near any body of water.

Brent, always eager to learn new skills, was dedicated to each job he worked at. Brent made many valuable friends through employment at Sulzer Pumps, Grundfos, & Paco Pumps of Brookshire, TX; Acme Brick of San Felipe, TX; P.C. Campana of Lorain, OH; P.C. Campana (a division located within Bellville Tube) of Bellville, TX; and many others throughout his life.

In 1995 during a work assignment in Texas, Brent met and married Holly Boring Burton of Sealy, TX. One of his most favorite memories ever was when his daughters were born, Brittany Burton Dewitt and then later Hadley Burton. Brent enjoyed special times with them including father-daughter dances, beach trips, coaching softball, attending their graduations, and watching them succeed in many various areas of their lives.

Brent is survived by his children: Brittany Burton Dewitt & husband Jordan of Orlando, FL and Hadley Burton of Jacksonville, FL; his parents: Robert & Diane Dyke Pegan of Heathrow, FL; his grandparent: Louise Pegan of Lake Mary, FL; his siblings: Kristen Pegan Cooper of Oviedo, FL and Dr. Mark Pegan & wife Erin of Heathrow, FL; as well as his nieces and nephew: Allison Cooper Segovia & husband Bruno of Atlanta, GA; Carson Cooper of Nashville, TN; and Connor Pegan & Brooke Pegan of Heathrow, FL. He was preceded in death by his father: Gary Burton of Lorain, OH; his grandparents: Paul Pegan of Zephyrhills, FL; Robert & Jane Andrus Dyke of Wellington, OH; and Lowell & Julia “J.B.” Burton of Elyria, OH.

An intimate family memorial and scattering of ashes is being planned at his favorite place by the beach in Ponce Inlet, Florida near the Ponce de Leon lighthouse. Instead of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made in memory of Brent to either of these non-profit organizations that helped him with his most extensive health complications: American Kidney Fund at kidneyfund. org or American Diabetes Association at diabetes.org.