John E. Burleson, Jr.

John is survived by his wife, Debra; his children, Jim (Kristi), Scott (Catherine), and Meg; his grandchildren, Lucy and Jane; his mother, Carolyne; and his brother, Charles.

A lifelong resident of Waco, TX, John graduated from Richfield High School in 1975, Baylor University in 1979, and Baylor Law School in 1981. John was a long-time member of Columbus Avenue Baptist Church, where he married Debra in 1979. He served the church in numerous capacities including Sunday School Director and Deacon. John had a gift for service, a gift he sought to use wherever needed.

He faithfully worked at the same law firm his entire career, eventually becoming a partner. He served in many local organizations, including the Optimist Club, Rotary, the Board of Directors at First National Bank of Central Texas, Kids Hope USA, Greater Waco Legal Services, and others, most for a decade or longer.

John was a champion of the Baylor Bears. With his family in tow, John traveled thousands of miles to watch Baylor games and rarely missed a football, basketball, or baseball game at home.

His family was privileged to watch him live out his faith to the end, not wanting to leave us yet looking forward to heaven. He was our steady rock, guiding us along our journey. We mourn his passing, but celebrate a life well lived.

We want to thank his friends who drove him to MDA and sat with him through treatments. We want to thank the countless doctors, nurses, and staff at MD Anderson who cared for John throughout his diagnoses of CLL and Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and ultimately his successful stem cell transplant.

While we have received beautiful flowers, what John would have appreciated most was a donation to a nonprofit of your choosing or ones that he worked closely with such as Kids Hope USA through Columbus Avenue Baptist Church, Compassion Ministries, or the Waco Symphony Foundation. We also encourage anyone who is able (ages 18-40) to sign up for Be the Match or donate, as we saw firsthand the importance of this vital registry.

There will be a gathering of remembrance Friday evening from 5-6:30 p.m. at Fellowship Hall, Columbus Avenue Baptist Church. Dress for Friday evening is casual with Baylor attire encouraged for those who wish to join in. Please join the family for a Celebration of Life at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, August 27th, in the Sanctuary at Columbus Avenue Baptist Church, 1300 Columbus Avenue. A live stream will be provided for those who cannot attend the Celebration of Life service at cabcwaco.org/specialstream. Visitation will be available during business hours Thursday and Friday at Connally-Compton, 4400 West Waco Drive.

We especially want to thank Fred Johnson, Al Childs, Mike Buckley, Bill Mearse, Randy Mull, and Gene Fisseler who drove John to MDA or sat through treatments with him. John had many friends who sent encouraging cards over the past year and friends who regularly called or texted. The family is also grateful to Drs. Okani and Artie Sudan, friends and physicians, and the MDA team of Dr. Burger, Dr. Hosing, Dr. Fayad, and Dr. Popat. John also received special encouragement and advice from fellow stem cell journeymen, Peter B. and Joe Griffin.