Colonel "Burley" Burleson

Colonel Aaron C. “Burley” Burleson, USAF (Retired), of Altus, died on Monday, August 29, 2011 at his home. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 AM Friday, September 2, 2011 at the Prince of Peace Catholic Church. Burial with full military honors will follow in the Fort Sill National Cemetery, Elgin, under the direction of the Kincannon Funeral Home. Aaron Burleson was born November 20, 1920 in Lawton, Oklahoma, the only child of Aaron and Mae Munger Burleson. He grew up in downtown Lawton, where his parents established their residence and law firm. He graduated from Lawton High School in 1938 and was attending Cameron Junior College when he was mobilized for active duty with the 45th Infantry Division in 1940. He began aviation cadet training in the Army Air Corps in 1942 and received his commission as a second lieutenant in 1944, after completing pilot training at Pampa Army Air Field, Texas. He was one of “Ken’s Men,” and commanded the B-24 and F-7 with combat missions in the Pacific theater, with targets in the Philippines, Okinawa and Japan. Following World War II, he piloted C-47 and C-54 aircraft in the Aleutian Islands and Newfoundland. In 1954, he was assigned to special air mission operations in Washington, D.C. and later served as Special Air Mission Officer in the Office of the Vice Chief of Staff, United States Air Force, and the Pentagon. While in this position, his duties included coordinating airlift support for the White House, the Office of the Secretary of State, the Senate, and the House of Representatives, and with other executive offices providing airlift for both United States and foreign dignitaries. He also flew advance trips around the world to make arrangements for presidential missions. He was assigned to the Pentagon from 1962 to 1970. His long career culminated in his assignment to Altus Air Force Base in June 1970 as the vice commander of the 443rd Military Airlift Wing, and then as the Base Commander in August 1973. He retired on July 1, 1973 after 35 five years and 21 days of outstanding military service to his country, including 29 years active duty in the US Air Force. He had more than 3,000 flying hours primarily as a transport pilot the B-24, the F-7, the C-47, the C-54, the C-131, the C-140B and the C-5 aircraft. He was awarded the Legion of Merit with one oak leaf cluster, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the World War II Victory medal, the Philippine Liberation medal, the Air Force Commendation medal and numerous campaign ribbons. Upon Col. Burleson’s retirement in 1974, he immediately began his second career of service and accepted the challenge of strengthening the economic base of Altus and Jackson County, Oklahoma. He was one of the founding fathers of the Committee of 100 and served as the Executive Director of the Altus-Jackson County Economic Development, Inc. from 1975 to 1985. He served on many boards and commissions for the southwest area of Oklahoma and was appointed to the Governor’s Industrial Team, by Gov. George Nigh, serving as Treasurer, Vice-chairman and Chairman. In 1985, he became the Director of Military Development for the Altus Chamber of Commerce serving as the prime liaison between the people of Altus and the personnel at Altus AFB. His years of active duty provided personal connections and insight that provided support to Altus AFB's success in the 1980’s and 1990’s. Working with Air Force personnel and congressional members, his leadership helped to secure needed funding and resources for Altus AFB. Some of the projects he worked on included $20 million in critical funding to assist the base recovery from tornado damage in 1982; $23 million for new housing at Altus AFB; $11 million for the easement purchase at both ends of the runway; $8.1 million for a support facility; $29 million for a parallel/assault runway; $14.8 million for corrosion control facility and $900,000 for a drop zone. Col. Burleson received several awards over the years. In 2000, he was honored for his “meritorious service in the Army Air Corps in World War II, his outstanding Air Force career, and his service to the people of Altus AFB" with the new Consolidated Support Facility, Bldg. 52, at Altus AFB, being named the "Colonel 'Burley' Burleson Consolidated Support Facility." In 1997, AETC awarded him for one of four "Pioneer Awards" to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the United States Air Force. He was honored by Cameron University as a 1992 Distinguished Alumnus. He was extremely active in the Air Force Association, serving as vice president of the Southwest region of AFA, president of the Oklahoma State AFA for 5 years and president of the Altus chapter for seven years. .He serves a trustee on the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs, is a member of the Altus Kiwanis Club and a Life Member of the Order of Daedalians. He was a University of Oklahoma donor and enjoyed watching OU football games from his 50 yard line seats. His final retirement in 2002, totaled a 62 year commitment of dedicated service to his country from active duty in the US Air Force and his continued commitment to the Air Force through his position as Director of Military Development, Altus Chamber of Commerce. Aaron was preceded in death by his parents, Aaron and Mae Munger Burleson, his beloved wife of sixty two years, the former Myra Lucille Hosch of St. Louis, MO, and his grandson, Aaron Christopher Burleson. He is survived by one son, Chris Burleson and wife, Jolly, of Norman, OK; two daughters, Barbara Burleson of Altus and Debbie Burleson of Norman, OK; six grandchildren, Melissa McLawhorn Houston and husband, Ben, Chad McLawhorn and wife, Tracy, Katie Kahmann, Tiffany Copeland and husband, Barry, Beth Mitchell and husband, Danny, and Kelly Kahmann; and seven great-grandchildren, Robby and Matthew Houston, Julia Kahmann, Ella and Nate McLawhorn, and Molly and Shane Mitchell. The family will receive friends on Thursday, September 1, 2011 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm and a Prayer Vigil will be held at 7:00 pm at the Kincannon Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials are made to the NBC Bank for the Aaron C. “Burley” Burleson ASC Scholarship. The scholarship will be awarded to Altus AFB active duty personnel pursuing higher education degrees. Special thanks to Joe Leverett, MD for his friendship and loving care of Burley and Myra during their final journeys. Also appreciation to Carl Hartman, Anita Bookman and Marvin Shepherd and the numerous caregivers who took care of them.