Kenneth Theodore Burley

Kenneth T. Burley, 80 of Merlin, Oregon passed away on Saturday, May 18, 2013 at Asante Three Rivers Medical Center due to complications of heart and kidney failure. A Celebration of Life will be held June 29, 2013, at Indian Mary Park. Exact time is to be determined. Casual attire is preferred. Ken was born on July 10, 1932 in Santa Maria, California to Thomas and Belva Burley. Ken joined the Air Force in 1947 at the age of 15, swearing he was 17. At the age of 18, he was shot down in his plane in North Korea and was the only survivor. He became a P.O.W for 14 months and then escaped and walked for 4 days without shoes until he reached American Forces in South Korea. In 1951 he married his first wife, Alice, and in 1953 their daughter Linda was born. In 1955, while giving birth, she and their son both died. After 20 years in the Air Force, and serving during the Vietnam War, he retired as a Tech.-Sgt., and went to work for the California Department of Corrections. He retired after 20 years as a Lieutenant. During this time he met his wife, Teri who was a co-worker. They enjoyed a very full and loving marriage of 36 years. In 1988 he and Teri moved from Wrightwood, California to Merlin, Oregon. Ken enjoyed working on and driving antique classic cars. He was a member of the Rogue Rovers Car Club, the Southern Oregon Model T Ford Club and B.P.O.E. 1584. He loved to go to Baldini's Restaurant in Merlin everyday for coffee. Ken was preceded in death by his first wife, Alice and their son, a second son, Kenneth T. Burley II, his two brothers, Bud and Bob King and his sister Barbara Smith. Ken is survived by his loving wife Teri of Merlin, Oregon, his daughter Linda Fernandez of Big Pine, California, his brother, Keith Burley of Prescott Valley, Arizona; sister, Alice Chambers of West Covina, California, his pride and joy nephews/sons, Joshua and Travis Rush of Grants Pass, Oregon, several grandchildren, great grandchildren and a great great grandson along with many friends.

Service Information

Saturday, June 29th, 2013, Indian Mary Park