George William Burnup

He was preceded in death by his son, Tommy Burnup.

George is survived by his wife of 68 years, Dorothy Kirschner Burnup; son, Mickey Burnup & wife, Karen; daughter, Debbie Burnup Wolf & husband, Marty; and daughter-in-law, Sharon Burnup; 7 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.

George graduated from S. F. Austin High School in 1939. He served in World War II with the U.S. Army Air Corps as a gunner and a mechanic and was a Pearl Harbor Survivor. He was later commissioned as an Officer and Pilot, and he flew P-38’s in the Pacific and later became an Instructor Pilot at Douglas AFB, Arizona.

After completion of his military service, he joined the Texas Department of Public Safety in 1947 as a Highway patrolman. In 1953 he was promoted to Texas Ranger and soon became the Chief Pilot of DPS aircraft, which at that time consisted of one single engine Navion Aircraft & 2 pilots. In the late 1960’s he worked with Bell Helicopter to demonstrate their helicopter’s unique capabilities for law enforcement operations. These helicopters proved to be extremely effective while working manhunts, participating in search and rescue operations, and enforcing violations of traffic laws. Through the 1970’s he acquired additional aircraft and pilots to meet the DPS needs. This fleet has since grown to approximately 24 fixed wing, twin engine planes and helicopters with a staff of 50 pilots. George retired from the DPS in 1977 with 30 years of service.

Because his Father had died at a young age, George never expected to live much past 60 years and so he retired in 1977 at age 55 and figured he had a few years to enjoy retirement. These few years turned out to be 33 years in good health.

In retirement George and Dorothy were an inseparable couple, from their summers in Colorado and Canada to trips to the grocery store, they were always together.

They had recently moved from their home of 57 years to an independent living facility. They were long time members of Memorial United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you donate to a favorite charity.

The family will receive guests at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home on Thursday, February 17, 2011 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm. A Graveside Service will be conducted at 2:00 pm, Friday, February 18, 2011 at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Cemetery in Pflugerville, TX.

To share memories of George, please visit www.cookwaldencapitalparks.com