Mcberney Burleson, Jr.

McBerney Burleson, Jr., 93, died Saturday, February 18, 2005, in Athens, TN. He was a native of West Virginia but had lived in Johnson City since 1912. Mr. Burleson was a son of the late Zeph McBerney Burleson, Sr. and Alpha Omega Sword Burleson. He was a graduate of East Tennessee State University, attended Duke University and received graduate degrees from Peabody-Vanderbilt. Mr. Burleson was a retired East Tennessee State University librarian, a former teacher in the Johnson City and Washington County school systems, Bristol, Tennessee High School and Memphis State University. He was also employed at WJHL and WETB. Mr. Burleson was a member of the Johnson City Kiwanis Club, in which he held several offices, was Chairman of the Year in 1957 and maintained perfect attendance for over sixty years. He was also active as an officer, director and actor in the Johnson City Community Theatre and won four 'Oscars'. He was one of the organizers of the Buc-O-Mo (Pirate Club), Past President of the ETSU Alumni Committee of 1000. Other organizations in which he maintained membership were TEA, NEA, TLA and ALA. He published 'To the Top with The Toppers', a fifty-year history of Science Hill High School football, and also wrote a history of ETSU football. Mr. Burleson was a member of the First United Methodist Church, where he served on the Administrative Board and attended the Asbury Fellowship Sunday School class. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by one brother and his loving wife Rosemary Williams Burleson. Survivors include: a son, Jeffrey David Burleson and daughter-in-law Denise Burleson; a grandson, Aidan; granddaughter, Calantha Godley of Fayetteville, GA; a daughter, Janice Susan Burleson, son-in-law G. David Brown and granddaughter Lauren Brown of Athens, TN; daughter, Judith Hollis Burleson McKenzie, son-in-law Bruce McKenzie; grandsons Jason and Andrew McKenzie; granddaughter Caitlin McKenzie of Herndon, VA. A memorial service will be conducted on Monday, February 20, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, Johnson City, TN, with Rev. Bedford Transou and Dr. Robert Jack Higgs officiating. A graveside service will held on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. in the Monte Vista Memorial Park, Johnson City. Family and friends are asked to assemble at the cemetery. Honorary pallbearers will be: Merrill Moore, Dan Rasor, Robert Jack Higgs, Ray Moore, G. David Brown, Bruce McKenzie, Arthur Kelsey, Edwin Williams, Harry Cook and Bill Miller. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in the form of contributions to: the 'Plowboy' Memorial Fund at: Science Hill High School, the Johnson City Community Theatre or First United Methodist Church for charitable distribution. Online condolences are available at: www.morrisbaker.com. In charge of arrangements: Morris - Baker Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 2001 E. Oakland Avenue, Johnson City, TN 37601 or (423) 282-1521.