George Augustus Burleson, Jr.

George Augustus “Buster” Burleson, Jr., of Waco died on December 28, 2017, after suffering with Alzheimer’s disease. A memorial service will be held 11:00 a.m., Saturday, December 30, at DaySpring Baptist Church in Waco, with the Rev. Eric Howell presiding. Buster was born on February 23, 1934, in Humble, Texas. At age 4, after having lived in Conroe and Anahauc, his family moved to Beaumont where Buster grew up. After graduation from Beaumont High School in 1952, he attended Texas A&M, where he was a member of the Corps of Cadets and the rodeo team. In 1954, he returned to Beaumont to marry his sweetheart, Betty Jeane Blanchette, and to attend Lamar University. Buster began his 35-year career with Sun Oil Company while in high school—at first helping in the oil fields during summers, then working at the Geo Physical Plant as a janitor and night watchman. After graduating from college, he joined the Human Resources Department of the company. In 1966, Sun Oil transferred him to Dallas. Buster and Betty bought a home in the Lake Highlands area and Buster carpooled with friends (who had also been transferred from Beaumont) to the Southland Life building in downtown Big D where he worked as a systems analyst, learning new languages for new machines in a new era. Buster was always grateful for his “Sun Company” career and the life it provided his family, yet Buster had other, truer callings. He loved playing, coaching, and watching sports; hunting and fishing; raising a garden; and working in the yard. Like so many from his generation, he was a “do-it-your-selfer,” so every Saturday included a project to build, repair, or improve something. Buster was never happier than when working on these projects. A lifelong Baptist, he was devoted to his churches, where he took on many roles such as deacon, Sunday School teacher, and arborist. Perhaps his truest calling was animal husbandry. Animals were his friends and he spent a lifetime devoted to them and they to him. Buster had always longed to be on a farm—a dream since his formative years in his high school 4H club—so after 22 years in Dallas and upon his retirement from Sun Oil, he and Betty moved to Lakeside Village near Lake Whitney where they loved “farm life” for a decade or so—raising donkeys and sheep, clearing the land, tending gardens and orchards, and, most of all, loving their beloved grandchildren who often came to visit. After the turn of the century, Buster and Betty moved to China Spring in order to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Above all else, Buster was a “family man”—provider, helpmate and partner, disciplinarian, teacher, coach, fan, and role model of how to “do your part” in this world. He was a steady, supportive, and encouraging presence for his family. He would have seen this as his legacy achievement. Buster was proceeded in death by his mother, Peggy Turner Burleson; his father, George Augustus “Pete” Burleson; and his sister, Ann Burleson Hansen. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Betty Blanchette Burleson; son, Blake Burleson and wife, Sandy; son, Burt Burleson and wife, Julie; and daughter, Amy Burleson Chandler and husband, David. He is survived also by six grandchildren and their families—Abby Burleson Clement, Garrett Burleson, Brandt Burleson, Cole Chandler, Evan Burleson Petter, and Will Chandler. With great joy that the blessing and goodness of his life is being carried on, he is also survived by two great grandchildren, Josephine Lee Petter and Grant Augustus Burleson. He was lovingly cared for during the last two years by the staff at Living Springs Village Memory Care. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Building Fund of DaySpring Baptist Church or to the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org. The family invites you to leave a message or memory on our “Tribute Wall” at our website, www.WHBfamily.com.