Col. Earl Burdette Burley

Retired Army Colonel Earl Burley, born September 16, 1936 in Bronson, Michigan, passed away at his home in Lutz FL June 17, 2022 at the age of 85. Earl grew up in Houghton Lake Michigan, and was President of his Senior High School Class. Prior to death, Earl continued that role, making him the longest running president in school’s history. He was born to be a leader and took on great responsibility during his lifetime.

In 1959 he received his diploma from Central Michigan University as a distinguished Army ROTC graduate. It was also that year that he married his college sweetheart, Phyllis.

They met in theatre class and would later go on to star in local productions at their community theatre.

Earl attended the Army Flight School, Field Artillery and Missile Schools, and completed training as a Nuclear Weapons Analyst. He was an Army Aviation pilot of fixed wing airplanes and helicopters with two tours of duty along with several classified missions in Vietnam. Among other decorations, he was awarded the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Army Commendation Medal.

In 1963, while stationed at Schofield Barracks in Wahiawa Hawaii, Earl became a father on his birthday. His daughter would be named after his late sister, Barbara, and for 58 years Earl and Barbara celebrated birthdays together.

From1964 to 1972, Earl served two tours in Vietnam as an Army Aviator.

In 1972 he was assigned to Forces Command in Atlanta, Georgia as the Radio/TV Branch Chief, Public Affairs Officer. In 1976, he was assigned to Tehran, Iran as the Department of Defense PAO.

In 1978 he returned to the states as the Public Affairs Officer for Ft. Carson, Colorado where he notes one of his greatest experiences was working for General Colin Powell as his speech writer.

In 1981, he was designated the Deputy Chief of Staff for Land Acquisition at Ft. Carson.

He retired in 1984 with the rank of Colonel and in 2004 Earl was inducted into the Central Michigan University ROTC Hall of Fame for recognition of his outstanding service to the United States. Later that year, Earl and Phyllis would make one more move to Tampa, Florida to begin a most deserved retirement.

Earl was a prominent member of Cheval Golf & Country Club. He was known as “The Colonel” and is remembered for his bigger than life personality. Earl started the annual Military Families Golf Tournament and organized Christmas caroling in the community for many years. Prior to covid, Earl and his friends also enjoyed entertaining residents of Arbor Terrace with Karaoke sing-a-longs.

Earl loved this country and his friends. You often heard him toasting the men and women who fought so hard for this country. Earl was a true Patriot, thanking every service person with whom he came in contact. He had a flagpole installed in his backyard where he proudly flew the red, white and blue and he always stopped, stood and placed his hand over heart during the National Anthem. He was a very proud American.

Earl was pre-deceased by his parents, Earl and Leola Burley and sister Barbara Burley. Surviving relatives include his wife Phyllis Burley, daughter Barbara Burley, and grandson Christopher Weitekamp.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests memorial contributions be sent to the Steinbrenner High School JROTC Booster Club at the link below. Contributions will go towards the “Colonel Earl Burley Memorial Scholarship”, formerly known as the “Cheval Military Scholarship”, which is awarded to a deserving Steinbrenner High School Senior Army JROTC Cadet.

A visitation for Earl will be held Thursday, June 30, 2022 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at St Timothy Catholic Church located at 17512 Lakeshore Rd, Lutz, FL 33558. A funeral mass will then take place on Thursday, June 30, 2022 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at St. Timothy Catholic Church, 17512 Lakeshore Rd., Lutz, FL 33558. Military honors will occur on Thursday, June 30, 2022 from 1:30 PM to 2:00 PM at Florida National Cemetery, 6502 S. W. 102nd Ave, Bushnell, FL 33513.