Dallas Burton perpetually had a grin planted on his face, and he was always angling for a laugh.
“He liked to make jokes because he enjoyed making people laugh,” family friend Antwan Jefferson said. “He was very fun-loving. High energy. Very smart. If you met him, you would say he was one of the best kids you ever met.”
The 13-year-old had the kind of influence over peers that parents of other kids at Colorado Christian Fellowship felt comfortable with, according to members of the church. He was a leader.
On Halloween night, Dallas was riding in a car with three other children from the church on their way from an alternative Halloween function to a prayer meeting when the car was broadsided by an alleged drunken driver. Dallas died Monday of injuries he suffered in the accident.
Donald K. Edwards, 46, has been arrested for investigation of vehicular homicide in the case. According to court records, he, too, was on his way to a Halloween party when he broadsided the car Dallas was in at East Iliff Avenue and South Peoria Street.
The other three kids in the car suffered minor injuries.
At the accident scene, Edwards had slurred speech and bloodshot and glossy eyes, and he smelled like alcohol, police said. He admitted he had two Bacardi and Cokes before getting into the car, court records indicate.
Dallas came by his vivacious spirit naturally. His mother, Tamika, is a member of the church’s dance ministry. He participated in the youth ministry at the church.
An eighth-grader and only child, Dallas loved playing basketball.
“If you asked him, he would tell you he played every position well,” Jefferson said.
He also was very considerate of other people. He befriended a younger boy who had been bullied in elementary school.
“Dallas wrapped his arms around him and took him under his wings,” Jefferson said. “It changed the boy’s life. He had a big impact. He had a way with people to make them feel important.”
His death is devastating to both his mother and father. It’s tough on church members too, he said.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragedy involving Dallas Burton,” Colorado Christian Fellowship said in a news release.
Tamika Burton and Dallas shared a special bond as mother and son, the release said.
Kirk Mitchell: 303-954-1206 or kmitchell@denverpost.com
