Audley "Oliver" Burford passed away peacefully on June 8, 2023. He was 92 years old.
Oliver was born to the late Audley Ray and Grace Oliver Burford in Tupelo, MS. He graduated with honors from Tupelo High School in 1948 and later attended Millsaps College where he earned his undergraduate degree as well as the Founders Medal, Millsaps highest academic honor given to the senior with the highest grade point average over their four year course of study. Upon graduating from Millsaps, Oliver attended Vanderbilt University where he earned his Masters and PhD in Nuclear Physics.
Following his time at school, Oliver worked 35 years with Lockheed Martin Corporation. Most of his time at Lockheed was spent working with an elite group of engineers and scholars who were exploring novel ways of utilizing nuclear energy. After retiring from Lockheed, Oliver became the Managing Director of Educational Community for Homeowners where he worked for many more years.
Oliver was a resident of Channing House in Palo Alto for the past 10 years. He was an avid wine collector and lover of food and travel. Oliver was particularly fond of traveling to France on food and wine-focused trips. He was also a patron of the arts and enjoyed spending time at the opera, symphony, and ballet in his adopted home of San Francisco.
Oliver is survived by his sister Gwen Burford Bearden in Marietta, GA., and nephews Mitch Sprinkle of Mariette and Todd Sprinkle of St. Petersburg, FL.
A private ceremony with immediate family will be held at a later date at the family cemetery in Longtown, MS.
Audley "Oliver" Burford passed away peacefully on June 8, 2023. He was 92 years old.
Oliver was born to the late Audley Ray and Grace Oliver Burford in Tupelo, MS. He graduated with honors from Tupelo High School in 1948 and later attended Millsaps College where he earned his undergraduate degree as well as the Founders Medal, Millsaps highest academic honor given to the senior with the highest grade point average over their four year course of study. Upon graduating from Millsaps, Oliver attended Vanderbilt University where he earned his Masters and PhD in Nuclear Physics.
Following his time at school, Oliver worked 35 years with Lockheed Martin Corporation. Most of his time at Lockheed was spent working with an elite group of engineers and scholars who were exploring novel ways of utilizing nuclear energy. After retiring from Lockheed, Oliver became the Managing Director of Educational Community for Homeowners where he worked for many more years.
Oliver was a resident of Channing House in Palo Alto for the past 10 years. He was an avid wine collector and lover of food and travel. Oliver was particularly fond of traveling to France on food and wine-focused trips. He was also a patron of the arts and enjoyed spending time at the opera, symphony, and ballet in his adopted home of San Francisco.
Oliver is survived by his sister Gwen Burford Bearden in Marietta, GA., and nephews Mitch Sprinkle of Mariette and Todd Sprinkle of St. Petersburg, FL.
A private ceremony with immediate family will be held at a later date at the family cemetery in Longtown, MS.
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