Forrest F.L. “Sonny” Burleson passed away at his residence Sunday, June 27, 2021.
He was born November 9, 1929 in Tuscola, Texas, the son of Clarence Arthur and Mattie Amelia (Maschek) Burleson. Sonny attended school in Baird, leaving early to join the United States Army on September 5, 1946. He was part of the 7th Cavalry, occupying Japan after WWII. He was honorably discharged December 30, 1947.
Sonny completed his GED and worked for the Texas Department of Transportation before attending the Texas Department of Public Safety Academy. He became a Texas Highway Patrolman December 6, 1952, serving in the Amarillo and Corpus Christi areas, before being promoted to Agent in the Criminal Intelligence Service Region 4 (West Texas), where he rose to the rank of Captain. He served 32 years with the state, retiring in 1981. He enjoyed the next 39 years ranching in Callahan County.
In addition to his parents and stepmother, Sonny was preceded in death by his older siblings Clarence A. Burleson, Jr., Nina Burleson Hamilton, Helen Burleson Curtis, Glenda Yeager Ivy, and Gene Yeager. He is also preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Buckley Burleson; step-daughter Dana Smith and step-son Eddie Arkridge; and his daughter Leonna K Adkins.
Sonny is survived by his daughter, Terri “tk” (Burleson) Jenkins and his son Jeff Burleson, both of Baird; son-in-law Johnny Adkins of Eula; grandchildren John and Melanie Adkins of Baird, Christy and Ramey Burke of McKinney, and Kathleen Jenkins of Dallas; great-grandchildren Austin R. Adkins, Lilly Kate Burke, and Hailey Watson; and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 PM Wednesday, June 30, 2021 at Parker-Jacobs Funeral Home, 141 E. 3rd Street, in Baird. Graveside services will be 10:00 AM Thursday, July 1, 2021, at Ross Cemetery Annex, on highway 283, just north of Interstate 20 in Baird.
Those who wish may make a donation in Sonny’s memory to the Baird Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 1013, Baird, Texas 79504.
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