Address: Dale Road, Spruce Pine
Date of Death: Monday, March 4, 2013
Arrangements: Webb Funeral Home
Details: Fred Oliver Burleson of Dale Road in Spruce Pine went to be with the Lord on Monday, March 4, 2013, at Brian Center Health and Rehabilitation in Spruce Pine.
Born on September 17, 1923, in Mitchell County, he was the son of the late Tom and Ada Buchanan Burleson. He was preceded in death by his wife of twenty-six years, Jean Ellis Burleson; his oldest son, Bill Burleson; his daughter, Mary Jane Burleson; his sisters, Georgia Phillips, Bernice Wilson, Estella Buchanan, Edith Conley, and Mabel Burleson; and his brothers, Oscar, Tommy, and Fonzer Burleson.
Fred was a faithful member of Pine Branch Baptist Church in Spruce Pine. He served as Head Usher, on both the Building & Grounds and Pastor Search Committees, was the Chairman of the Brotherhood, and a church van driver. He assisted with many senior adult trips and helped start the Fellowship Sunday School Class.
In 1943, 1st Sgt. Burleson finished basic training at Camp Blanding, Florida, and the following year completed Jump School in Fort Benning, Georgia. He was assigned to the 11th Airborne as a replacement in the Philippines, Island of Luzon. During final conflict and occupational duty in Japan, 1st.Sgt. Burleson was with the 11th Airborne on the boardwalk of the U.S.S. Missouri when peace treaties were signed with Japan. He also served on the 82nd Airborne Honor Guard for the Inauguration for President Eisenhower and the 9th Infantry Division in Korea. Upon completion of his assignment in Korea, he returned to the U.S. with the 101st Airborne Division in Fort Campbell, Kentucky. In 1963, he received a special assignment to Fort Wainright, Alaska. On June 1, 1965, with twenty-two years of faithful service, he retired honorably from the Armed Services with numerous awards and decorations and returned to his home in Spruce Pine.
After service in the U.S. Army, Mr. Burleson at worked Tri-County Oil in Spruce Pine. Upon retirement, Fred enjoyed hunting, fishing, and camping at military campgrounds in Destin, Florida, and Seven Points Lake in Nashville, Tennessee.
Fred is survived by his wife of forty years, Lucille Rhyne Burleson; his son, Roger Burleson and wife, Nancy; his stepchildren, Cindy Anderson and husband, Donnie, and Mark Pittman; daughter-in-law; Jeannie Burleson; grandchildren, Freddy Burleson and wife, Stacie, Beth Satterfield and husband, Scott, Jennifer Gregory and husband, Blane, Meredith Hoilman and husband, Greg, Jesse Solomon and wife, Lindsi, Bobby Solomon, and Hannah Pittman; great grandchildren, Britt, Cole, and Jace Burleson, Bryce, Isaac, and Alli Satterfield, Addison and Elijah Gregory, Troy and Emree Hoilman, Lilli Solomon, and Liam Arnold. He is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and devoted friends, Quentin and Shirley Buchanan.
The funeral service for Mr. Fred O. Burleson will be conducted on Friday, March 8, 2013, at 3:00 pm at Pine Branch Baptist Church with the Reverends Steve Williams, Andy Willis, and Tim Elmore officiating. Interment will follow in the Pine Branch Baptist Church Cemetery with Military Honors. The family will receive friends Friday afternoon from 1:00 pm until 3:00 pm at the church.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial donations be made to: Pine Branch Baptist Church, Central Baptist Church Missions Fund, or Hospice of Mitchell County.
Words of comfort may be e-mailed to the family by going to our website; www.webbfh.com., selecting Mr. Burleson’s name and then you may sign his guestbook. Webb Funeral Home in Spruce Pine, NC is assisting the Burleson family.
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