BURR, DR JOHN, 76 of Gilbert, AZ passed away peacefully in his home, surrounded by family, on March 22, 2011. He was born in Westwood, CA on the 7th day of the 7th month in 1934. John was preceded in death by his parents Rulon Loyd Burr and Agnes Dick Burr.
John marred Yvonne Chamberlain of UT on June 7, 1955, in St. George. He later married Florence Lucas Chatham of AZ on April 7, 1978, in Mesa. In his final years, John married Lynn Waugh Seebach of AZ on Nov. 9, 2001 in Mesa.
John is survived by his sisters, Mary Constance "Connie" "Chuck" Smith of UT, and Lula Kathleen "Kathy" David Keate also of UT, as well as his 14 children and 9 step-children. His children are Deslie "Ann" Gordon Davis, Mary Drew Major, Susan Gale Swanson, Laurie Gerow, Carol Jeff Warner, Joan Doug Bunting, Janine Curtis Converse, Heidi "Raven" Davee Chandler, Linda Michaels Ken Laine, Janet Bryan Nelson, John Clark Burr, Jennifer Budge, Wendi Keith Dabbs and William "Jason" Amy Burr.
John was a member of the LDS Gilbert Windrift Ward. He was baptized on Sept. 5, 1942 in UT. He was ordained a Bishop of the Belleville, Illinois Ward on Jan. 7, 1962 by Boyd K. Packer. He took pleasure in church service where he accepted a variety of callings through his life. Some of his last assignments were that of High Priest Group Leader and Gospel Doctrine Teacher. John set an outstanding example for his children through holding daily prayers and scripture reading, weekly Family Home Evening, and always attending church meetings.
John started his first job as a grocery store clerk in Susanville, CA. Next, he entered the army working in the US Army Medical Service as a medical and surgical specialist. After the army, John became an operating room technician at Utah Valley Hospital in Provo, UT. John had a life-long love of genealogy. He was employed by the LDS Church and worked in the Genealogical Society. Dr. Burr loved education, which was apparent through his choices of employment. Quite often, while receiving his own education at various colleges, he taught courses to undergraduate students in health education. These would include teaching at the BYU Salt Lake Center, at Brigham Young University and at the Utah Technical College in Provo, now Utah Valley University. John was proud of the fact that he had written the first school song while teaching at the Technical College. Later, John taught at the Illinois College of Podiatric Medicine. While living in the Chicago area, John Burr worked for the American Medical Association.
Dr. John W. Burr, received his Doctoral Degree in Higher Education Administration at Brigham Young University in 1980. Professor Burr taught at BYU, ASU and DePaul Universities. John's love of his country, love the gospel and also his sense of humor will surely be missed. Funeral Services are scheduled for Monday, March 28th, 9:00a.m., at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Gilbert Stake Center, 777 E. Elliott, Gilbert, AZ 85234, with a visitation 1 hour prior to services. He will be buried at the National Memorial Cemetery in Phoenix, AZ. Arrangements have been entrusted to Bunker's University Chapel, 480-830-4104.
East Valley Tribune, Mesa, Arizona, www.eastvalleytribune.com accessed on line March 31, 2011
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It is with sorrow that we have learned of the death of Dr. John William Burr. John taught in the School of Education from 1980 until his retirement in 1999. He passed away on March 22 at the age of 76 in Gilbert, Arizona. He is survived by his wife, two sisters, 14 children and 9 step-children.
John served in the U.S. Army Medical Service as a medical and surgical specialist. He continued on as an operating room technician in Utah and taught health education at several colleges in Utah, including Brigham Young. During his time in Chicago and at DePaul, he also worked for the American Medical
Association.
Our condolences go out to the family, friends, and former colleagues and students who mourn John's passing. May he rest in peace.
Mission and Values, April 13, 2011
