Jeffery Laine

Burleson

Asheville - Jeffery Laine Burleson, of East Asheville, Entered Into Eternal Rest

Wednesday March 16, 2016. He celebrated his 64th birthday in Heaven.

A native of Buncombe County, he was the son of the late Billy and Carolyn Burleson. He was self-Employed all his life in real estate; co-owner of Mack Kells Restaurant and Pub for 23 years; he also was co-owner of Carolina Coin.

He attended Duke University on a full football scholarship, In 2012 he was inducted into the A.C. Reynolds Hall of Fame, a Jeff Gordan fan, a lover of ice cream and animals. He loved playing golf with his dear friends but most of all he loved spending time with his family.

Survivors include his wife of almost 33 years, Janice Cauble Burleson; one daughter, Carrie Laine Burleson; one son, Travis Kent Burleson and his wife, Michelle; one brother, Darryl Burleson and his wife, Dona, all of Asheville.

Memorial services will be held 6:00 PM Friday, March 25, 2016 at Grassy Branch Baptist Church 499 Riceville Road, Asheville, conducted by Rev. Ken Sausedo.

A video presentation of Jeff's life will start 30 minutes prior to the service.

To honor Jeff's request the service will be casual dress.

In lieu of flowers the family request memorials be made to: Appalachian Wildlife Refuge, "Jeff Burleson Building Fund" P.O. Box 1211, Skyland, NC 28776 or at their web address, www.appalachianwild.org

On line condolences may be sent to www.moodyconnollyfuneralhome.com.

Moody-Connolly Funeral Home and Crematory is assisting the family with services.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Asheville Citizen-Times from Mar. 20 to Mar. 23, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Jeffery Burleson

Sponsored by Moody-Connolly Funeral Home & Crematory.

12 Entries

Tim Epley

March 26, 2025

As long as I have a chance I will tell a story about Jeff and remember the "best friend" he and Mike Hughey were to me. I think this is the best way for me to remember him and share moments his children may have never heard.
In our 9th and 10th grade summers, before we had our driver licenses we would often camp out in the wooded area above Jeff's parents house. These woods bordered the Blue Ridge Parkway in East Asheville. Our camping out group usually had various people but Jeff, Mike, Mark Ferguson, Tommy Smith, Danny Bullman, and myself were regulars. We usually left our camping area as soon as it was dark and walked to the Beverly Hills area which included the back nine holes of the Asheville Municipal golf course. This is where we did much mischief!
One night we were leaving our "camp" which involved walking down a narrow trail single file. Jeff had somehow managed to get ahead of our group and had hidden in a dense bamboo patch on the left side of the trail. As I walked by he turned on a flashlight under his chin and began to growl. I thought a bear or wild cat was about to get us and hit the ground screaming!
Everyone got a big kick out of it, especially Jeff! He was always pranking me.

Tim Epley

March 14, 2024

Jeff and I attended the "old" Haw Creek school for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades. That school sat where the Men's Warehouse, Panera, and Chic Fil A now sit across from the Asheville Mall. I'm guessing we were in the second grade. I don't think Mrs. Land, our first grade teacher, although very nice, would have given us the freedom to go anywhere on the playground. In Mrs. Angel's third grade class we (boys) played softball all 180 days of school. We loved it! So, I'm going to go with Mrs. Woodruff's second grade class.

I didn't know Jeff very well at this time but this is typical Jeff. We were playing marbles during our recess period on this particular day. We were down near first base on what would become our Pony League field when we became teens. The day was chilly and we had on our jackets.

We were playing a game called "chase". I don't think there were borders like a circle in this game. You are basically trying to hit the other player's marble with your marble and if you do you keep their marble. Some kid, Chip, tossed his marble at Jeff's. Chip barely missed with his marble coming to rest very close to Jeff's. It was now Jeff's turn. Jeff called time out and asked if he could switch his marble. We all agreed. Before we knew it, Jeff picked up his marble, reached into his jacket pocket, pulled out a ball bearing about half the size of a baseball, and proceeded to shatter Chip's marble into many small pieces! Jeff then turned to Chip and began to laugh. He was "Ballplayer" even then!

Jim Buff

April 6, 2016

Many years ago, late 70's, Jeff and I worked together at a real estate company. He was a pure delight and a genius on real estate. he even wrote a little book about real estate investing.
God bless Jeff and his family.

Ferguson

April 4, 2016

Sorry for loss. Ferguson family.

Patsi Hughey Isley

March 28, 2016

Jeff's parents and mine were good friends... Our dads grew up together and in my baby book, Jeff was one of my first friends. I don't think I've ever known a more even-tempered person. Some of my strongest memories are of how academically smart and athletically gifted he was. There was a playful side of him, too. I think it was Mike and Jeff that dug a deep hole and dropped Darryl down in it and left him.
I'm so sorry for his family that he went Home early but so glad he is in Heaven. I loved him a long time.

Tom Penland

March 22, 2016

I met Jeff when I came to AC Reynolds HS in 9th grade. He was a great student-athlete. We enjoyed taking classes together and playing basketball together as Rockets. He eventually focused more on football and I stuck with basketball. I lost touch after HS although I prayed very hard for him when he was injured and burned in the construction accident while a student at Duke. I have not seen Jeff since HS.

It sounds like he was a man of principle and put family first as one of those principles. He was smart and hard working as a HS classmate and athlete.

I pray that God will continue to bless his family who remain as his legacy along with his friends. As a lifelong educator, father of four, and grandfather of soon to be eleven I believe his investment in family was wise and worthwhile.

Tom (Tommy) Penland - Class of 1970
Daejeon, South Korea

Tom Penland

March 22, 2016

Leonard Sircey

March 21, 2016

My heart is heavy upon hearing of another friend passing. Jeff was a class act and had an infectious smile. A friend to all.
We have lost so many from our high school days at Reynolds. Ted, Susie, Hotdog, Mutt, Yogi, Steve, and so many more. God bless their families. They are dearly missed. Barbara and I send our condolences and prayers .

James Wykle

March 21, 2016

I just heard of my friend Jeff passing and will hold on to the great times and fun we had together in and out of school, he will be missed for sure, but not forgotten.. My prayers are with the family in this time of need, may God bless and guide everyone through this tough time...

Michael Hughey

March 20, 2016

Jeff and I had fallen too much out of touch over the years due mostly to distance. But along with Tim Epley we were best friends from early childhood through high school and beyond. Many of my early, fond, and formative memories involve Jeff. I will keep those memories close. Rest in peace my friend.

Daniel Taddei

March 20, 2016

I worked for Jeff for nearly 15 years at Carolina Coin. He was never a boss in the traditional sense, he was always kind, caring and generous to me and my family. Jeff would always put family before work. There will always be a special place in my heart for Jeff. Jan, we are all saddened and will keep you in our prayers. Dan, Francine and Alexis.

Tim Epley

March 19, 2016

Jeff and Mike Hughey and I were BEST friends in high school at Reynolds. We hung out together all the time after school, on Saturdays and summers. We were always playing ball together. He was always playing jokes on me. One day he and Mike were at my house and he crumpled up some saltine crackers in my bed under the sheets when I was in another room. That night when I got in bed I was not a very happy person! We would camp out in the woods above his house with Mike, Tommy Smith, Mark Ferguson, Dana Murray, Danny Bullman, Mark Lis, and others. I have so many memories of Jeff that I could spend a whole day talking about him. I loved him and Mike like brothers. Still do.

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