Danny "Ray" Burleson

Danny “Ray” Burleson, 69, went to be with his Lord and Savior on October 22, 2022.

He was born on August 23, 1953, as one of nine, the fourth of seven boys. He graduated Bowman High School in 1971 and worked with the Forest Service and as an EMT for Mitchell County Ambulance Service. He actually met his future wife in the back of an ambulance! He graduated respiratory therapy school in 1979 and worked at Gaston Memorial and Mission Hospitals. He transitioned to Mission’s Clinical Informatics department and retired in 2017.

His work was not the major defining quality of his life, it was his love of his Jesus and the love of others. He served his church as a deacon, treasurer, co-director of children’s church, and helped with the IT needs of Emma’s Grove Church. He participated in mission trips to India and Nicaragua and served on the board of Vision Nicaragua with Val Mydske and Daren Pinkerton for 20 years. He has truly touched individuals near and far. Everyone loved his gentle spirit and his fix-it abilities, and those closest to him cannot look at Snoopy or watch Star Trek and not think of him.

Preceding him in death includes his mother and father, Pless and Eula Burleson; his infant brother, his twin brother, Donny Jay; and his brothers, Dorman Burleson and Frank Burleson. He leaves a whole host of family and friends on this earthly plane including his beloved wife, Cathe Wilson Burleson. They celebrated 46 years of marriage this past May.

Also left to cherish his memory are his siblings and their significant others, including Darrell Burleson and Verlyn, Billy Joe Burleson and Corda, Faye Edwards and Charles, and Emma Buxton and Gary; and his sisters-in-law, Sharon Brewer and Jake, Vickie Quinn and Tim, and Debbie Mills and Buzz. While he didn’t have his own biological children all his nieces and nephews felt like they were his children: Lauren Brewer, Elizabeth Brewer, Natria Small, Katrina Collins, Jerry Burleson, Daniel Burleson, Darlene Reed, Donny Burleson, Stacy Burleson, Scott Burleson, Chad Edwards, CJ Edwards, Crystal Hill, Sarah Vance, and Michael Vance. Other “adopted” children, include Kristy Gordon and her parents, Peppy and Bruce, as well as Kevin Real and his parents, Henry and Jeanette, as well as too many more to name!

His church family, especially his pastor Josh Wynn and his wife Berkley, and his small grou,p including Jim and Louise Gilliam, Sandra and Eddie Jackson, Pat Burrell, and Chris Reis, were also very important to him.

A celebration of his life will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, November 12 at Emma’s Grove Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Vision Nicaragua or to Emma’s Grove Church.

Groce Funeral Home’s Lake Julian team is assisting the family.