Grady W. Burleson


GRADY WINFIELD BURLESON left us to be with his Lord Saturday, the 17th of May 2008 after living 96 full and blessed years. Grady was born on November 5th, 1911 in Turkey, Texas, to Alfred Burleson and Julia May Burleson. He was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Julia Burleson, sister Beatrice (Burleson) Eden, brothers Doyle and Truel Burleson and sons, Bennie and Phillip Burleson. The pride of his life was his 63 year marriage to his sweetheart, Gertrude and his children and grandchildren. He worked at a variety of professions, including accounting and was the owner of two food stores. At the age of 86, he traveled to Chicago where he was named "Employee of the Year" for Marshall Fields. He will be remembered for his deep faith and tireless devotion to helping others. He was a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus where he had been awarded the distinction of being named "1966-1967 Knight of Year." Grady was at his happiest when fishing or camping with his family. He always had a song he was whistling and a story to share. He will be missed by all whose lives he touched. He is survived by his wife, Gertrude Burleson, daughters Jeanette (Burleson) Murphy and husband Robert, Theresa (Burleson) Cotton and husband Dennis, Yvonne (Burleson) Hudson and husband Keith, sons Grady Burleson, Jr. and wife Kathy, Alan Burleson, Alex Burleson and wife Lan, Kerry Burleson and grandchildren, Adam Murphy, Ashley Grable, Jeofrey Cotton, Tiffany Grable, Kyle Cotton and Bryan Thai. Friends are invited to a visitation from five until seven in the evening on Wednesday, the 21st of May 2008 at Forest Park Lawndale, 6900 Lawndale, Houston, Texas. The visitation will be followed by a rosary and vigil. There will be a viewing at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 22nd 2008 at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church, 6703 Whitefriars Dr., followed by a funeral mass at 11:00 a.m. It was Grady's desire that, in lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution be made to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church, 6703 Whitefriars Dr., Houston, TX, 77087.
Published in the Houston Chronicle on 5/20/2008.




All,

Below are final confirmed arrangements for daddy's services.   

 "Grady W. Burleson"
Wed., 05/21/08
5:00 - 7:00 pm - Visitation
7:00 pm - Rosary
Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home
6900 Lawndale
Houston, TX 77023
713-928-5141

Thurs., 05/22/08
11:00 am - Celebration of Life Mass
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church
6723 Whitefriars
Houston, TX 77087
713-645-6673

Jeanette Burleson

E-Mail #2:
Daddy passed away very peacefully last night at 8:00 pm.  My youngest
sister, Yvonne, and I were at the hospital with my mother and had left
her with Daddy for a few private moments.  We had a feeling that it was
close to time.  It happened about 30 min later and Mother was with him.
This was the first night that she had decided not to go on home with my
other sister, Theresa, and wanted to stay a little while with Yvonne and
me.  God always works it out.


E-Mail #1:
-----Original Message-----
From: Jeanette Murphy [mailto:jmurphy0245@peoplepc.com]
Sent: Friday, May 16, 2008 8:34 AM
To: John Blair
Subject: My Dad

Hi John,
To let you know and please pass along to Julia.  My dad went into the
hospital suddenly April 17 for colon cancer surgery (that was a shocker)
- he's 96 and in great physical shape - that's why they were able to do
to surgery.  Came through with flying colors, got all the cancer, stage
3B, and pronounced him cancer free.  A few days later things went south
and had to back to surgery to remove a blockage.  Came through that with
flyng colors and a few days later things went south again and they have
stayed that way.  Contracted a yeast infection in the blood and kidney
problems.  I've been in Houston for almost 2 weeks at his side.  We took
him off of dialysis, antibioitics, and the nutrition feed last Tues and
have been in the bedside vigil since then.  His heart is so strong and
he keeps fighting to stay with us as sick as he is.  We  keep telling
him he doesn't have to fight anymore, but he isn't listening.  This is
so very hard.  Just wanted you and Julia to know and if you could would
you please pass along to Rob so he can let our class know and ask for
prayers for peace and courage.  I don't have much opportunity to log on,
but took a few minutes this morning before I leave for the hospital.
I'm staying right across the street so I'm 3 min away when I take a
break.  We're lucky to have a big family so we can take shifts and Daddy
has not been left alone since he checked in April 17.  Yes we are very
tired.  And, this is so very very difficult. 
My best to you and Julia.
Jeanette