Posted: Fri 8:44 AM, Nov 09, 2012
Funeral Home: Memorial Funeral Chapel
February 11, 1926 - November 5, 2012
Jesse "Red" Burditt (Jesse Newton Burditt, Jr.) died on November 5, 2012 at the age of 86. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Sunday, November 11, 2012, 3:00 – 5:00 P.M. at Memorial Funeral Chapel in Bryan, Texas. Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. at Christ United Methodist Church in College Station, Texas with Reverend Rick Sitton and Dr. Morris House officiating. Interment services will follow at Bryan City Cemetery.
Red was born in Dallas, Texas, on February 11, 1926. He was the second child born to Dr. Jesse Newton Burditt and Lanier Connolly Burditt.
Red and his lifelong sweetheart, Elinor, met as children in Abilene, Texas. They would later marry on December 28th, 1947 after his return from World War II service as a radioman in the United States Navy. Perhaps his greatest pride and accomplishment was being a member of the famed "Kiddie Korps", A&M's young squad that successfully competed for A&M during the 1943 football campaign. After a 7-2-1 record, the team was invited to meet LSU in the Orange Bowl. He would later return to A&M to finish his degree and compete in additional football, baseball, and basketball seasons for the Aggies.
He was inducted into the Texas A&M Athletic Hall of Fame in 2003 as one of only eight athletes to receive varsity letters in three sports. He was instrumental in the formation of the Texas A&M Letterman's Association and also led the Kiddie Korps of 1943 to fund a scholarship endowment. He was a lifelong Methodist and a faithful member of Bryan First United Methodist Church for over 60 years.
Red was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Dr. Tom Connolly Burditt of Abilene, Texas, and daughter-in-law Deborah Sue Robinson Burditt. He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Elinor Frances Sivley Burditt of Bryan, and his two children: Jesse Newton Burditt, III, of Bryan; and Charles Bryan Burditt and his wife Pamela Diane Burditt of Conroe, Texas.
He is also survived by 4 grandchildren: Kimberly Anne Burditt of Carlsbad, California; Bethlyn Burditt (husband Randall Mason) of Bethesda, Maryland; Bryan Collin Burditt (wife, Teri) of Cypress, Texas, Christenn Anne Burditt of Houston, Texas; 5 grandchildren: Cassandra Elizabeth Burditt Mason of Bethesda, Maryland, Jesse Connolly Burditt Mason of Bethesda, Maryland; Charles Braeden Burditt of Cypress, Texas, Madeleine Grace Burditt of Cypress, Texas, and Owen Brooks Burditt of Cypress, Texas. And the many nieces, nephews, cousins, and the many young men he coached, and always referred to as "his kids", throughout his coaching career for the Hamlin Pied Pipers, Lockhart Lions, and Bryan Broncos.
Red passed away at home in Bryan surrounded by his family. He will be remembered and missed by all who knew and loved him. He loved God first, his family and friends, Texas A&M University and the Bryan Vikings.
Charitable donations may be made in Reds name to First United Methodist Church of Bryan or the Texas A&M Letterman's Association.
