A former Biloxi Indians flame thrower and Sherry murders journalist passes away
A Mississippi Coast journalist known for his reporting on the Biloxi murders of Margaret and Vincent Sherry has died.
Donald “Keith” Burton Jr. was 67.
Burton spent decades in the journalism and worked in print, broadcast, produced his own talk show and would later start his own media outlet.
Born on Oct. 6, 1954, Burton attended Biloxi High School, where he was a standout trombone player and drum major. He was best known though, for being the mascot who wore an Indian costume and shot a flaming arrow into the endzone before football games.
Burton went to the University of Southern Mississippi and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and media.
He started at WVMI in the 1980’s. That’s where he discovered a joy for covering politics.
“He was into politics his whole life,” his son, Daniel Burton, said. “He was ultimately just involved with getting the truth out there…we don’t see that as much anymore.”
His love of reporting on politics was only matched by his love of debating them.
“He wasn’t afraid to share his opinion, no matter the repercussions,” his daughter Sarah Wrightson said.
Butron went on to report at WLOX and the Sun Herald. During that time, he helped cover the Sherry murders, one of the most prolific crimes in Mississippi Coast history.
Eventually, he would go on to open his own news outlets including gulfcoastnews.com.
During Hurricane Katrina, Burton ran a website where people could mark themselves as safe when it was nearly impossible to reach friends and family. He would go on to win a national award for the work.
Burton also reviewed cars.
“He got a Honda S2000 before it was out for everybody,” Daniel Burton said. “I remember him and I taking it out on the bridge and seeing what it could do.”
His children remember him as a man of passion, opinions and faith.
A memorial service will be held Aug. 6 at 10:30 a.m. at Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home.
This story was originally published August 5, 2022 at 9:56 AM.