Jim passed away peacefully in Fresno after a hard fought battle with cancer, at the age of 64.
Born in Carrollton, Carrollton County, Georgia to Reba Barnes Burson and James Monroe Burson, he attended school in the proud tradition of southern hospitality and moved to California with his immediate family in the 1950's.
Attending Washington Union High School, he met and soon after graduation married Gail Downy Mitchell.
He enlisted in the United States Army and was trained in communications and received citation for Expert Rifleman.
He returned to Fresno with Gail and settled down to raise their two sons.
Jim worked for many years in the irrigation industry and traveled the western states selling irrigation and pump equipment to large agri-business concerns.
In his later years, Jim owned and operated a blade and saw manufacturing company for pallet recyclers with his wife Dona, and used his innovative problem solving skills and technical expertise to modify and perfect the machine design that became the industry standard.
Jim had many fond memories of his time here in the valley and golfing at Sunnyside Country Club.
He will be remembered for his deep faith in his Savior, his integrity, easy-going southern ways and devotion to his family. He was loved and well respected by everyone he met.
The family would like to thank Dr. Lee Copeland for his compassionate care, Hinds Hospice, St. Agnes Medical Center, and all those who helped Jim during this time.
Jim is survived by his loving wife, Dona Hofer; his children, James Mitchell Burson and his wife Jeannette, and Neil Burson and his wife Brenda; their mother, Gail Mitchell Burson; eight grandchildren, his stepchildren, John Riggs and Ruth Moline; his sister, Barbara Rowland and her husband Wiley and their sons, Rick Rowland and Scott Rowland; and his sister, Mary Sue Puckett and her husband Jim and their daughter, Terry Eagy.
He is also survived by many nieces and nephews and family members in Carrollton, Georgia. Papa will be greatly missed by his grandchildren and all who knew him.
There will be a private ceremony at Jim's request.
Remembrances may be made to the Fresno Rescue Mission.
Published in the Fresno Bee on 5/4/2007.
Born in Carrollton, Carrollton County, Georgia to Reba Barnes Burson and James Monroe Burson, he attended school in the proud tradition of southern hospitality and moved to California with his immediate family in the 1950's.
Attending Washington Union High School, he met and soon after graduation married Gail Downy Mitchell.
He enlisted in the United States Army and was trained in communications and received citation for Expert Rifleman.
He returned to Fresno with Gail and settled down to raise their two sons.
Jim worked for many years in the irrigation industry and traveled the western states selling irrigation and pump equipment to large agri-business concerns.
In his later years, Jim owned and operated a blade and saw manufacturing company for pallet recyclers with his wife Dona, and used his innovative problem solving skills and technical expertise to modify and perfect the machine design that became the industry standard.
Jim had many fond memories of his time here in the valley and golfing at Sunnyside Country Club.
He will be remembered for his deep faith in his Savior, his integrity, easy-going southern ways and devotion to his family. He was loved and well respected by everyone he met.
The family would like to thank Dr. Lee Copeland for his compassionate care, Hinds Hospice, St. Agnes Medical Center, and all those who helped Jim during this time.
Jim is survived by his loving wife, Dona Hofer; his children, James Mitchell Burson and his wife Jeannette, and Neil Burson and his wife Brenda; their mother, Gail Mitchell Burson; eight grandchildren, his stepchildren, John Riggs and Ruth Moline; his sister, Barbara Rowland and her husband Wiley and their sons, Rick Rowland and Scott Rowland; and his sister, Mary Sue Puckett and her husband Jim and their daughter, Terry Eagy.
He is also survived by many nieces and nephews and family members in Carrollton, Georgia. Papa will be greatly missed by his grandchildren and all who knew him.
There will be a private ceremony at Jim's request.
Remembrances may be made to the Fresno Rescue Mission.
Published in the Fresno Bee on 5/4/2007.
Jim passed away peacefully in Fresno after a hard fought battle with cancer, at the age of 64.
Born in Carrollton, Carrollton County, Georgia to Reba Barnes Burson and James Monroe Burson, he attended school in the proud tradition of southern hospitality and moved to California with his immediate family in the 1950's.
Attending Washington Union High School, he met and soon after graduation married Gail Downy Mitchell.
He enlisted in the United States Army and was trained in communications and received citation for Expert Rifleman.
He returned to Fresno with Gail and settled down to raise their two sons.
Jim worked for many years in the irrigation industry and traveled the western states selling irrigation and pump equipment to large agri-business concerns.
In his later years, Jim owned and operated a blade and saw manufacturing company for pallet recyclers with his wife Dona, and used his innovative problem solving skills and technical expertise to modify and perfect the machine design that became the industry standard.
Jim had many fond memories of his time here in the valley and golfing at Sunnyside Country Club.
He will be remembered for his deep faith in his Savior, his integrity, easy-going southern ways and devotion to his family. He was loved and well respected by everyone he met.
The family would like to thank Dr. Lee Copeland for his compassionate care, Hinds Hospice, St. Agnes Medical Center, and all those who helped Jim during this time.
Jim is survived by his loving wife, Dona Hofer; his children, James Mitchell Burson and his wife Jeannette, and Neil Burson and his wife Brenda; their mother, Gail Mitchell Burson; eight grandchildren, his stepchildren, John Riggs and Ruth Moline; his sister, Barbara Rowland and her husband Wiley and their sons, Rick Rowland and Scott Rowland; and his sister, Mary Sue Puckett and her husband Jim and their daughter, Terry Eagy.
He is also survived by many nieces and nephews and family members in Carrollton, Georgia. Papa will be greatly missed by his grandchildren and all who knew him.
There will be a private ceremony at Jim's request.
Remembrances may be made to the Fresno Rescue Mission.
Published in the Fresno Bee on 5/4/2007.
Born in Carrollton, Carrollton County, Georgia to Reba Barnes Burson and James Monroe Burson, he attended school in the proud tradition of southern hospitality and moved to California with his immediate family in the 1950's.
Attending Washington Union High School, he met and soon after graduation married Gail Downy Mitchell.
He enlisted in the United States Army and was trained in communications and received citation for Expert Rifleman.
He returned to Fresno with Gail and settled down to raise their two sons.
Jim worked for many years in the irrigation industry and traveled the western states selling irrigation and pump equipment to large agri-business concerns.
In his later years, Jim owned and operated a blade and saw manufacturing company for pallet recyclers with his wife Dona, and used his innovative problem solving skills and technical expertise to modify and perfect the machine design that became the industry standard.
Jim had many fond memories of his time here in the valley and golfing at Sunnyside Country Club.
He will be remembered for his deep faith in his Savior, his integrity, easy-going southern ways and devotion to his family. He was loved and well respected by everyone he met.
The family would like to thank Dr. Lee Copeland for his compassionate care, Hinds Hospice, St. Agnes Medical Center, and all those who helped Jim during this time.
Jim is survived by his loving wife, Dona Hofer; his children, James Mitchell Burson and his wife Jeannette, and Neil Burson and his wife Brenda; their mother, Gail Mitchell Burson; eight grandchildren, his stepchildren, John Riggs and Ruth Moline; his sister, Barbara Rowland and her husband Wiley and their sons, Rick Rowland and Scott Rowland; and his sister, Mary Sue Puckett and her husband Jim and their daughter, Terry Eagy.
He is also survived by many nieces and nephews and family members in Carrollton, Georgia. Papa will be greatly missed by his grandchildren and all who knew him.
There will be a private ceremony at Jim's request.
Remembrances may be made to the Fresno Rescue Mission.
Published in the Fresno Bee on 5/4/2007.
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