DANTON BURROUGHS MEMORIAL DRAWS LARGE CROWD

Danton Burroughs Service May 17, 2008 - Archive of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley (click on picture to enlarge)

An afternoon memorial service was held today at the Tarzana Community Center to honor the life of Danton Burroughs. Over 200 people braved the over 100 degree afternoon heat to pay tribute to champion of San Fernando Valley history and culture.

The following is an excerpt from a May 15 obituary in the Los Angeles Times.

"Burroughs was born June 21, 1944, in Los Angeles and grew up in Tarzana. In 1972, he earned a bachelor's degree in sociology from Cal State Northridge. His father, John Coleman Burroughs, was best known for illustrating the works of Edgar Rice Burroughs. He also was a photographer who documented Los Angeles as early as the 1920s. Many of his negatives burned in the April 30 fire at Danton's home, said Gerald Fecht, president of the Museum of the San Fernando Valley.

A supporter of the Valley museum, Danton also helped found the Tarzana Museum and contributed many artifacts to its collection, which is housed in the Tarzana Community and Cultural Center.
"I don't really expect to meet anyone like Danton again," Fecht said. "He had a sense of wonder, a sense of joy . . . he was absolutely a splendid person. When you were with him, it felt like vacation."

DANTON BURROUGHS MEMORIAL SERVICE

Tarzana Stained Glass Window - Archive of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley -2007 (click on photo to enlarge)
A Memorial Gathering in Memory of Danton Burroughs will be held
May 17th, 2008
Tarzana Community Center
Ventura Boulevard and Vanalden Avenue
Tarzana, CA 91356
2 PM

What good fortune lovers of history, popular culture and the adventure of good friends, have had in the life of Danton Burroughs!

After a lunch one day, Danton and I were going to our cars, when he saw this stained glass window in a Tarzana restaurant. He commented, "Look, what a beauty that is! That will make its way to someone's collection some day." I responded, "Let's hope it's the Museum of the San Fernando Valley." We both laughed.
Windows can be measured and conserved. It is now our responsibility to preserve the more fragile memory of our cherished friend, Danton.
Jerry Fecht

LOSS OF DANTON BURROUGHS

Llana of Gathol - by Edgar Rice Burroughs - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Jerry Berns - 2008

The sudden death of Danton Burroughs of Tarzana brings before all of us the great importance of historical documentation and preservation of our history. The recent gift to our Museum of a first edition of Llana of Gathol by Edgar Rice Burroughs, illustrated by the great Valley illustrator and photographer John Coleman Burroughs, and inscribed by Danton Burroughs in 1987 presents three generations of the great Burroughs family. The book demonstrates the creative environment of the San Fernando Valley and by being part of the Museum of the San Fernando Valley's collections, will serve to inspire generations of Valley residents and visitors for years to come.

click on photo to enlarge the image.

The San Fernando Valley deserves a great Museum of history and culture.

DANTON BURROUGHS DIES

One of the San Fernando Valley's greatest friends of history, Danton Burroughs has died. Dan died sometime after 10 last evening. He had struggled with Parkinson's Disease for sometime, but his death may have been related to a significant fire among his historical treasures on April 30th. Danton was the grandson of the beloved author Edgar Rice Burroughs, creator of Tarzan.
Danton died at his home in Tarzana, a San Fernando Valley suburb named by his grandfather. Danton was the son of the great American photographer John Coleman Burroughs. He was a founder of the Tarzana Museum and supporter of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley.
Danton was a member of Chi Chi Chi Fraternity at Los Angeles Pierce College and was a lifelong friend of many members of the Beta Chapter of the Phi Delta Psi Fraternity.