Edward Burleson, age 81, of Brownwood passed away Saturday, January 1, 2022, in Abilene.
Funeral Services for Edward will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 8, 2022, at Blaylock Funeral Home Chapel with Brandon Fagan officiating; burial will follow at Greenleaf Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Friday evening from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Arrangements are under the direction of Blaylock Funeral Home of Brownwood.
Edward was born on July 18, 1940, to Howard and Floye (Martin) Burleson in Miami, Arizona. At a young age he learned the value of good work ethics as he was the provider for his family starting at the age of 11, mowing yards in Phoenix, AZ. He entered in the United States Army on his 17th birthday, July 18, 1957, and proudly served until March of 1960. He was stationed in Germany during his time of service.
After he left the Army, he moved back to Phoenix and continued landscaping for a period of time between Phoenix and Los Angeles. He worked on the building of the Glen Canyon Dam in Arizona. Edward then went on to be a business entrepreneur, dappling in multiple industries throughout his life. He moved to Corpus Christi where he owned 3 gas stations, a shrimp boat, along with a bait and tackle shop, Island Distributors, where he made the tackle to sale. He traveled around the western states, mining, logging, exploring, trapping, and hunting for a period of time.
He then moved to Brownwood, where he worked for TYC for a stint. Then he started fostering youth boys. And then moved to Idaho where he opened a boy’s home and separate girl’s home for juvenile delinquents.
It was in Idaho where his interest in antiques sparked. He moved back to Texas to start his own antique business. Along with raising and selling parrots and other birds.
He never met a stranger. He was excelled at everything he did in life, which was a lot. He loved gardening his whole life, he was always growing something.
Edward is survived by his daughter, Sarah Burleson of Brownwood; siblings, Tommy Burleson and wife Crystal of AZ, Pam Clark and husband Ken of Decatur, Stephen Hansen and wife Sharon of Brownwood, Patricia Bennie and husband Terry of Bangs, Cheryl Wilson and husband Don of Grapevine, and Jimmy Burleson of Austin. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
He was preceded in death by his father, Howard Burleson and step-mother, Faye; mother, Floye Hansen; and brother, Skip Hansen.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Central Texas Veterans Memorial (American Legion Post 196, c/o Harold Steiver, 1600 Burnet Dr. Brownwood, Texas, 76801) in Edward’s memory. Online condolences for the family are welcome at www.blaylockfuneralhome.com.