Forace Burleson

Forace Odell Burleson, 78, of Barksdale, Texas, passed into the presence of our Heavenly Father Sunday, March 21, 2021. Many knew him as ‘Tike,’ but family affectionately called him ‘Tiger’ and sometimes ‘Redbird.’ He had a huge heart for people, especially children, and he never met a stranger. He was born February 21, 1943, in Vance, Texas, to Forace and Modell Wood Burleson and was laid to rest in the Barksdale Cemetery March 24.

Those left to cherish his memory are his daughter Missy MaLynn Burleson Solbrig and husband Keith; his loving companion Debbie Agy Martin; his sister Mona Burleson Hill and husband M. L.; brothers Hershel Burleson, Clayburn Burleson and wife Lois, and Roe Burleson and wife Judy; nieces, nephews and Deb’s children; and all the children he taught and coached over forty years at Nueces Canyon. Tike was preceded in death by wife Barbara Sue Hurt and by daughter Marissa Dandi Burleson.

Tike wore many hats during his life. One was a Sul Ross University mortarboard to receive his Bachelor’s degree, then a US Army garrison cap in Vietnam until his discharge with a Spec 5 rank.  After military service, he wore a coaches’ cap in LaFeria and Brackettville, but a love of animals and a Stetson took him to Eldorado as ranch manager for Ford Oglesby. The cap and Stetson defined Tike’s passion for children and animals. For the past forty years, he wore the cap to proudly cheer the Panthers, and he wore the Stetson to watch the horses run.

The family will always remember Tike’s love for Barksdale and how he could remember people and places.  Tike always had the answer to any ‘Barksdale’ question.   We will fondly remember our ‘Tike’ who often said, “Our family has been blessed to be close and love each other.”

Pallbearers were Steve Amine, Stuart Burleson, Jason Burleson, Zach Burleson, Zeb Burleson, and Jordan Hill.  Honorary pallbearers were Jay Hill, Floyd Collins, Bubby Hutto and Randy Ward.

Family thanks to Pastors Scott Pomeroy and Glen Connell, Jr., Barksdale Baptist Church and Rushing-Estes-Knowles.