Born in Jonesboro, LA on May 6, 1927, Dr. Daniel Woody Burson, “Woody” as he was known to his loved ones and close friends, was a husband, father, grandfather, uncle, teacher, friend, and mentor. He was a special person who led an extraordinary life. He died peacefully in Baton Rouge, LA on October 28,2017 holding hands with his daughter, Teresa. Dr. Burson was a native of Jonesboro, Louisiana where he grew up and graduated from Jonesboro- Hodge High School in 1945. After graduation, he enlisted in the army and served his country during ëNWII in the Allied Occupation Forces liberating Germany. After serving his country, he returned to Jonesboro and earned his BSE from Arkansas State Teacherís College, now the University of Central Arkansas in 1950, his MBA from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge in 1971, and his PhD from Louisiana State University in 1976. His studies focused on Latin American history, Latin American literature, geography, and anthropology. During his studies, Dr. Burson traveled to Ecuador many times to do research and loved it there. LSU published his dissertation, Jose Maria Villamil, soldier, statesman of the Americas, which can still be found in Hill Memorial Library on the Baton Rouge campus. Dr. Burson met his sweetheart and wife of 53 years, Jackie, in Washington DC in 1951 while working as a Key Punch Operator for the Navy. One day, some of his coworkers mentioned that he should meet the new secretary because she was from Louisiana and they thought the pair would hit it off. They met and the rest was history: they were married less than a year later and moved to New Orleans, LA. Dr. Burson spent much of his career teaching in St. Bernard Parish: Chalmette High School, Chalmette Middle School, PGT Beauregard High School, and St. Bernard High School. He took a sabbatical from St. Bernard Parish Schools to return to his beloved Ecuador. He served as the Director General of Colegio Americano de Guayaquil from 1977 to 1979 and was the founding Director of the Inter-American Academy in GuayaquiJ, Ecuador in 1979. Following his retirement from St. Bernard Parish Schools, he was requested as the Spanish Teacher at Holy Angels High School on St. Claude Avenue in New Orleans. He tried to retire from Holy Angels High School several times, but stayed after several Sisters urged him to continue teaching. After several years with Holy Angels, Dr. Burson did finally retire to pursue something he and his wife had dreamed of for many years: to move back to his childhood home in Jonesboro and live a simpler lifestyle. Dr. Burson and his wife, Jackie, started growing blueberries for fun and they enjoyed country living in Jonesboro, but once again, Dr. Burson got teaching fever. He returned to education by accepting a position to be the Principal of Bethel Christian School in Ruston. Dr. Burson and Jackie also continued their country life and pursuing their real love: traveling the world. Together, they explored England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, Mexico, Ecuador, and the Galapagos Islands. He worked throughout the 90s and early 2000s, teaching Spanish at Dodson High School and to Kindergarteners part-time. He finally retired for good in 2006. Dr. Burson is a member of the Louisiana Retired Teachers Association and St. Bernard Retired Teachers Association. He is an Honorary Member of the Los Isleños Heritage and Cultural Society in St. Bernard Parish. Affectionately known as Pops, Dr. Burson enjoyed upholstering furniture, tending to his garden, antiquing and going to flea markets. He played the organ, enjoyed art and painting, and he collected clocks. He was one of those people who literally had friends all over the world. He was an excellent cook, and amazing storyteller, and a friend to everyone he met. Dr. Burson is preceded in death by his wife, Jacqueline (Jackie) Bibianna Williams Burson, and his son Dave Patrick Burson. He is survived by his son Dan Michael Burson and daughter-in-law Yolanda Burson of Ruston; his daughter Teresa Burson Dezendorf and son-in-law W. Roy Dezendorf Jr. of Baton Rouge; daughter- in- law Denise R. Burson of Jonesboro, La; his sister Montez Burson Cook and brother-in- law Freddy Cook of Jonesboro; his sister-in- law Evelyn P. Burson of Jonesboro; his grandchildren, Jennifer Burson, Christina Burson Strozier (Shane Strozier), Benjamin Dezendorf (Kricket Dezendorf), James Burson, Joshua Burson, and William D. Dezendorf; and his great-grandchildren Emily, Zachary, Hannah, Connor “Hector,” and Colin Daniel “George.” He is also survived by his many “favorite” nieces and nephews. Friends visited with the family on Tuesday, October 31, 2017 at Edmonds Funeral Home Chapel in Jonesboro, Louisiana. A funeral mass was held on Wednesday at St. Lucy’s Catholic Church, where Father Pat Madden officiated. Interment was at the Garden of Memories in Jonesboro under the direction of Edmonds Funeral Home of Jonesboro. Pallbearers were Benjamin Dezendorf, William D. Dezendorf, James Burson, Shane Strozier, Josh Burson, Bill Jones, and Chad Pitre. Honorary pallbearers were Dan Michael Burson and W. Roy Dezendorf Jr. He had many friends, touched many lives, and will be missed sorely forever. He was a life changing person who had a special way of making everything he touched grow, whether it be roses, students, or the home he built. He taught children all over Louisiana and Ecuador, and cultivated learning with his passion for Spanish studies. He grew roses for his wife and family that would burst into vibrant colors along the walkway from his carport to his home. He spoke gently and kindly and with so much wisdom as he told stories of world travel and all his various experiences, all while injecting his own unique wit. He was the kind of person who made everyone better by just knowing him.
