Roger Lee Burfiend

Roger Lee Burfiend, 91, received his angel wings on Sept. 14, 2021 at 11:11a.m. at a local hospital. 

Known to everyone as simply "Grandpa", he was a man like no other. Grandpa was born on Sept. 21, 1929 in Jones County to Pete & Belle Burfiend. Grandpa grew up in Noodle where he attended school, graduating in 1946. He trained horses in his younger years & spent 10 years working on the ranch. He worked at the warehouse at Dyess Air Force base for 6 years, was a postal service letter carrier for 11 years before spending the remainder of his days as a pumper in the oil field. He was a Sgt. in the United States Air Force, honorably and proudly serving 4 years and one month and fought in the Korean War. 

He met Tommie Jean Maddox in Merkel and they married in Abilene on June 11th 1953.  They spent their years traveling the world and enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping out, and making memories with family and friends. 

Survivors include one son: David Burfiend, 4 grandchildren: Christina and husband Jason Bruck of Fort Worth,  Traci Burfiend, Randall Burfiend and Curtis Mitchell and wife Katie all of Merkel; great-grandchildren: Joseph, Keagan, Mason, Ayden, Henry and Westin.  He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, His wife, Tommie, 2 brothers JW and Vernon.

Public visitation will be held from 5-7pm, Sunday, September 19, 2021at Starbuck Funeral Home. Funeral services are scheduled for 11am, Monday, September 20, 2021 at the First Baptist Church in Merkel with interment and military honors to follow at White Church Cemetery.  Arrangements are entrusted to Starbuck Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be David Cunningham, George Blankenship, Randall Burfiend, Buddy Napier, Joe Higgins, & Steve Shipman. Honorary pallbearers will be Curtis Mitchell and David Burfiend.

Memorials may be made to White Church Cemetery or the Merkel Cemetery Association.

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