Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

James Douglas Burley

James Douglas Burley, born July 30, 1931, to Bluford and Minnie Burley in Smackover, passed away July 30, 2001, in Kingwood, Texas surrounded by his loving family.

Burley moved to Prescott in 1943 where he graduated from Prescott High School. He went on to attend Southern Arkansas University and ultimately graduated from Oklahoma State in 1953. Upon graduation he went to work for Humble Oil and Refining Co. (later to become Exxon/Mobil) from which he later retired in 1986. He subsequently worked as an independent consultant for seven years.

Burley was on the original Steering Committee, which eventually formed Kingwood First Baptist Church. He went on to be its first Sunday School Director, first Chairman of the Deaconate and charter member of the church along with his wife, Peggy.

Burley is preceded in death by his parents, Bluford and Minnie Burley.

Survivors include his wife, Peggy McLelland Burley of Kingwood; daughter, Stephanie Demaree and her husband, Terry of Kingwood, sons, Brent Burley and his wife, Linda of Houston, and Ross Burley and his wife, Ramona of Kingwood; grandchildren, Jeremiah Burley, Christopher and Kimberly Demaree and Jake Burley.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, August 1, at Kingwood First Baptist Church with Dr. Dearing Garner officiating. Graveside services were held Friday, August 3, at the Liberty Cemetery in Prescott with Bro. Ricky Burke officiating under the direction of Shackelford Funeral Home of Prescott.