Reno G. Burleson

Reno G. Burleson, 94, Johnson City, passed away Tuesday, September 29, 2015 peacefully at Johnson City Medical Center following a brief illness. Mr. Burleson was a Johnson City native, and son of the late J.R. and Carrie Garland Burleson. Mr. Burleson graduated from ETSU, when it was known as East Tennessee Teaching College, and earned the ETSU National Alumni Award of Honor. During his time at ETSU, Mr. Burleson was captain of the basketball team for two years. He also studied at Columbia College in New York. Mr. Burleson was a signal officer on a naval destroyer in Pacific during WWII. He was an owner and chairman of the board of Burleson Construction Company. Mr. Burleson was a long-term member of the First Christian Church of Johnson City. He was a past chairman of the Chamber of Commerce of Johnson City, President of the Association of General Contractors of Tennessee, Director of Johnson City Medical Center and Nations Bank, and a member of the Johnson City Country Club. Mr. Burleson was also an avid golfer. In addition to his parents, Reno Burleson was preceded in death by: his first wife, and mother of his children, Leona Cornett Burleson; second wife, Marjorie Kitts Burleson; two brothers, Dean Burleson and Grover Burleson; two grandchildren, T.J. Burleson and Claire Scott Burleson. Survivors include: three sons, Robert Burleson, and his wife, Beverly, of Tallahassee, FL, Thomas Burleson, and his wife, Semone, of Jonesborough, and William Burleson, and his wife, Alison, of Richmond, VA; six grandchildren, Robert Burleson, and his wife, Lisa, Jay Burleson, Brad Burleson, Polly Johnson, and her husband, Jeff, Carrie Burleson, and Kela Burleson; five great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and one very special friend and caregiver, April Catherman. The family of Reno Burleson will receive friends from 1:00 PM until 3:00 PM Thursday, October 1, 2015 at Morris-Baker Funeral Home. The funeral service will follow at 3:00 PM with Dr. Gene Wiggington officiating. Pallbearers will be selected by family and friends. A procession to Monte Vista Memorial Park will immediately follow the funeral service for 4:00 PM graveside services. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Milligan College, 1 Blowers Blvd, Milligan College, TN 37682 or The Sequoyah Council, Boy Scouts of America, 129 Boone Ridge Dr, Johnson City, TN 37615.