Learle Eric Burford

LEARLE ERIC BURFORD, of Little Rock, died Friday, Sept. 18, 2015 in the capital city. He was born in Dallas County, Ark. near Kingsland, on Dec. 20, 1921 to Sam and Azzie Garner Burford. Mr. Burford was preceded in death by his loving wife of 65 years, Jean Cheshier Burford; his parents; his brothers: Ulyss, Houston, Maurice, and Hollis Burford; and his sisters, Erma Lou Rogers and Zeta Bratton. He is survived by his three daughters and their spouses who adored him: Jan Burford, Laura Maris (Bob), and Belinda Stilwell (David), all of Little Rock; five grandchildren: Anna Maris Kirkes (Justin), Alex Stilwell, Erica Stilwell, Shannon Maris (Drake Danley), Wendy Blackburn (Darren); and one great-grandson, Jack Danley. He is also survived by his sister, Jeanice Hennington of Beaumont, Texas and a host of nieces and nephews. After graduating from Draughon School of Business, he was in charge of payroll for the Corp of Engineers on the Norfolk Dam project. He stayed active in sports while in Mountain Home playing baseball in the area men's leagues. When World War II broke out, Burford felt the call to serve his country. Initially he was deployed by the Coast Guard to St. Louis where he was assigned to administration due to his rare ability to type over 95 words per minute on a manual typewriter. After several months, he requested active duty and was deployed to serve in the Pacific on anti-aircraft/anti-submarine patrol near Alaska and the Aleutian Islands on the USS Sausalito. During his time in the Coast Guard, he had boxing lessons with a young professional boxer named Jack Dempsey. After he got in the ring with Dempsey, he always said he sure was glad he didn't have to box for a living. And while at sea, a rainbow came down to the water and he got to touch the end of a rainbow. Returning to Little Rock after his enlistment ended, he re-enrolled at Draughon's School of Business where he met a young beauty, Jean Cheshier. After finally convincing her to go out with him, they became inseparable and remained so for the next 65 years. Burford went on to own the business college until it was sold in the mid-eighties. After retirement, he went to work for the Employment Security Division until he was 74. Burford was a member of the Founders Lion's Club for over 50 years and served many years as an advisor to the Arkansas Department of Education. He was an active member of Westover Hills Presbyterian Church. He was an avid fisherman and kept a large vegetable garden in his yard. He quietly served friends and neighbors whether moving their garbage cans or giving away vegetables. While Burford was very committed to his work and service in the community, he found his greatest joy in his family. He was passionate, caring and patient while spending time with his grandchildren. He was absolutely thrilled when Shannon and Wendy became his first granddaughters. During retirement, when the rest of the grandkids began to arrive, he could often be found outside playing in the backyard with them sharing his enthusiasm for life. He passed his love of the beauty of nature and acts of service on to Anna; his passion for baseball on to Alex, who now plays in college; and his talent for music to Erica; and he could hardly wait to see how much Jack had grown at each visit. He never spoke of any of them without having a smile on his face. The pride and love he had for them was unparalleled. They are his living legacy. There will be a celebration of Mr. Burford's life at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 23 at Westover Hills Presbyterian Church, Little Rock; officiated by Pastor Frank LeBlanc. Services are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Lions Club of Little Rock, Westover Hills Presbyterian Church, or the CARTI Foundation. To honor the selfless and giving nature of Mr. Burford, the family asks that you perform a good deed for someone in his memory today.