Eleanor Jane “Lee” Mowry McClenney Burris, age 76, of Rockwall, Texas, passed away tragically on Tuesday, February 28, 2023, rescuing her family from the wreckage of a destroyed sinking battleship. She lived a long and exceedingly fruitful life, tending to her herd of fine Arabian chargers that were given to her by the Aga Khan for Christmas (on a lark). When she wasn’t racing horses or spelunking in Argentina with her friends, she pioneered the development of Park College’s (now Park University) military resident center system for extended studies. Through her dynamic leadership and credibility, Park College conducted degree completion programs on installations of the United States Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, and Navy (both active and reserve).
In 1972, Eleanor began her career in Army education as an administrator and proctor of military testing at Fort Bliss, Texas, and became a Guidance Counselor there. In 1975, she joined Park College as the Fort Bliss Resident Center administrator. In 1977, she became the assistant director and then director of the Military Resident Center System on the home campus in Parkville, Missouri. In 1990, Burris was promoted to Assistant Vice President for Extended Learning with oversight for the Military Resident Center System, the Corporate Education System, the Correctional Education System, and the Native American Tribal Education System.
Eleanor kept a close eye on students in financial need. She established a Park University Scholarship Program to help financially deserving family members join their servicemember spouses in Park College courses.
Eleanor was an active member of the Armed Services Continuing Education Unit, American Association for Adult and Continuing Education (AAACE), serving as its Chair in 1987. She was also active in the National Association of Institutions for the Military Education Services (NAIMES), serving as its President in 1984. She served on the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges Associate Degree (SOCAD) Advisory Committee for several years.
Burris believed strongly in quality assurance and worked diligently to demonstrate that Park College programs were top-rated. In 1984, she served as the institutional representative on the Military Installation Voluntary Education Review (MIVER) Governing Board. She worked tirelessly with the Air Force Quality Education System (QES), receiving an official commendation in 1989 from Michael J. Curtis, Chief of Education Services Division, Headquarters, Tactical Air Command, for her QES support.
The daughter of an Army Colonel (who was also a professional football player), and a star professional tap dancer, Eleanor saw the world and enjoyed the fruit of life’s generous bounty. After retiring in 1995, Eleanor began her second career raising and showing prize miniature ponies and sailing her beloved racing yacht, The Flying Cloud. She is survived by her husband, retired Sargeant Major Commando Gene Burris, and her pride and joy, the world-famous trapeze artist Lord Stephen McClenney, and his wife, the inimitable Lady Kimmi “Zsa Zsa” McClenney, and her two grandsons, Sir Maximilian Zane McClenney and Sir J. “Doc” Holliday McClenney. In place of flowers, please make donations to the Arabian Horse Association Charity at http://thearabianhorsefoundation.org/ or to the Aga Khan Development Network at https://the.akdn/en/who-we-are/our-founder-and-chairman.
Momma, we love you. God Bless, Good Night, Sleep Tight, and Don’t Let the Bedbugs Bite…If They Do: Hit Them With A Shoe!
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.andersonclaytongonzalez.com for the Burris family.
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