Ed Burleson

Ed Burleson, 78, of Waco, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 26, 2011. Funeral services will be at Columbus Avenue Baptist Church in Waco, at 2 p.m., Monday, Nov. 28, 2011, with the Rev. Curtis Holland and the Rev. Ed Carter officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at Columbus Avenue Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery.

Ed Burleson was born March 10, 1933, in Waco, to Edward B. and Maurine C. Burleson. He attended Waco public schools and graduated from Waco High School in 1950. He attended the University of Oklahoma, where he was a member of the marching band, and graduated in 1954 with his BBA in accounting. After college, he served three years on active duty in the United States Air Force. He was honorably discharged from the Air Force Reserves in 1968.

After military service, Ed was first employed by U.S. Steel Corp. for two years before joining Texas Coffin Company in Waco. He served in various capacities with Texas Coffin for a total of twenty-one years, including eight years as President and CEO. During this period, he served as a Trustee of the National Foundation of Funeral Service, and in various capacities with the Casket Manufacturers Association of America. Beginning in 1979, Ed was involved in funeral home and cemetery acquisition and operation, including the last portion of his active career with Service Corporation International of Houston. Ed semi-retired in 1999, and thereafter served as a part-time staff funeral director at Connally-Compton Funeral Directors in Waco. He was proud to be a licensed Texas funeral director.

During his professional career, Ed served as a Director with many institutions and organizations in the Waco area, including Hillcrest Health System, First National Bank of Central Texas, Brazos Higher Education Authority, Rotary Club of Waco, Better Business Bureau of Waco, Baylor Stadium Corporation, Waco Symphony Association, Baylor Bear Club, Ridgewood Country Club, Hedonia Club of Waco, Baylor-Waco Foundation and the Local No. 306 American Federation of Musicians. Ed was particularly proud of his service to Hillcrest Health System, where he served two different terms as Chairman of its Board, and as a Trustee for thirty-eight years. Ed was a 32nd degree Mason, and a member of the James A. Lockwood Masonic Lodge, Waco Scottish Rite Bodies and Karem Shrine.

During and after Ed’s business career, he was a professional musician, performing with many of his longtime friends and members of his family, and “The Haskett-Burleson Band” provided music to many organizations and events in the Waco area. He also served as a statistician for the Baylor Basketball Radio Network for almost forty years.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents, and many aunts, uncles and cousins, of whom he was very fond.

He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Carolyne; his two children, John and wife, Debra, of Waco, and Charles and wife, Julie, of Lorena; by his five grandchildren, Jim, Scott and Meg Burleson, and Rachel and Andrew Burleson; and by his sister and brother-in-law, Mary Sue and Jim Westmoreland of Houston.

He also leaves his wonderful and much appreciated caregivers, Sonja Childers and Shirley Acevedo and other “Visiting Angels” who cared for him during the last months of his life, and his long-time friend Melvin Carter, who helped him in recent years. His family wishes to sincerely thank Dr. Robert Anderson, Dr. Carlos Guerra, Dr. Randy Gardell, Dr. James Boss and all doctors, nurses, and other staff members at Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center who cared for him.

Pallbearers will be John Morrow, Randy Crawford, Kenneth Knowles, Tommy Riggs, Leonard Hooks, Bob Waltrip, Dr. Jim Ed Gray, John Morris and Pat Nunley. Honorary pallbearers will be Judge Joe Johnson, Jack King, Larry Scott, John Gilliam, Dr. Don Risinger, Monte Hulse, Frank Ditta, Glenn Robinson, all associates, Directors and staff of Hillcrest Health System, and all officers, Directors and employees of the First National Bank of Central Texas.

Memorials may be made to the Department of Development at Hillcrest Health System, to the E. B. Burleson Scholarship at the Baylor Law School, or the Larry Vanlandingham Scholarship at the Baylor School of Music.