John Stevens Burton worked for the Navy from 1946 until the spring of 1977. He was one of the military officers in WWII who transitioned to running the Navy's Civilian Personnel program. John was the Director of the Area Wage and Classication Office (AWCO) in the Southeast. Later the office became Southern Field Division and later-still The Regional Office of Civilian Manpower Management (ROCMM). He retired in 1977 with one of the more memorable retirement parties of all time. At that time there were about sixty-eighty small to large personnel offices in the Jax ROCMM, each having a CPD. The grades ranged from GS-9 to GS-15. Everyone came to John's party. I remember leaving Charleston as a spring snow shower was taking place with Orlin Lanford and George Lewis. I-95 was not complete and we took US 17 South. George and I decided to have a beer. Orlin, who did not drink normally, was drinking by the time we got to Savannah, just to keep George and me from getting it. We picked up Corrine Ware, CPO from NAS Atlanta, at the Jax airport and continued on to Orange Park where a good time was had by all. John worked as a State Dept contractor for several years before he died as a result of cancer in 1984. This page was the idea of Wayne Lauten and he has provided the pictures. So Here's to you, John.....
Wayne Lauten, Joe Cardillo, and John Burton
A. DiPasquale roasts John. Fred Lewis was roast-master
Bill Paz presents John with the Distinguished Service Award
Burton Choir consisting of Joe Haydt, Joe Wilkinson, Al Newton, and others. Song was "Goodbye, Johnny" to the tune of "Hello, Dolly"
Spiffy dresser Bob Fodrey, ROCMM-Norfolk and Joe Haydt, former ROCMM-Philadelphia director, then CPO, NTC, Orlando
The Navy Personnel world's Dorian Gray, Wayne Lauten, does his part.
Bill Price, John Burton, and Fred Lewis before the roast started and all were still friends.
Bill Meaut, OCMM 07, and John's boss, remembers how John hired him to run the branch office in New Orleans.
Another award presented by Paz and Tom Muir, Deputy Director.
Bill Paz, world's greatest orator, praises John and entertains the crowd.
Bill Price takes his shot. That's Jan Burton between John and Bill Paz.
Old friends, Burton and Roastmaster Fred Lewis.
Jim Smith, Charleston Naval Shipyard
A poor picture of "Senator" George Stevens, Director of Northeast ROCMM.
John finally had a chance to answer and boy did he ever.
