BURL D. WARDRUP

1931 - 2021

Mr. Burl D. Wardrup was born on May 8, 1931 and passed away on April 18, 2021, but not before leaving a lasting mark through his nearly ninety-year life. Burls family moved from his birthplace in Fort Smith, Arkansas to Imperial, California during the mid-1930s and shortly after to Modesto, California. Burl attended Modesto High School graduating in 1950 and it was there that he met his lovely wife, Lois Koster. After graduation, Burl worked as a carpenters apprentice. A few months into the job, the foreman offered him one hundred dollars if he would join the Marine Corps, and he did. With the windfall in hand, Burl and Lois were married. Within weeks of their marriage, Burl left for Marine Corps boot camp at Camp Pendleton near Oceanside, California and after 13 weeks found himself in the center of the Korean Conflict. After two years on the front, Burl earned four battle stars for courageous service and was honorably discharged as a sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps. Upon returning to El Centro, Burl found that Lois had saved his military and hazardous duty pay for a down payment on their first and only home. For three years, Burl worked at San Diego Glass and Paint and became a journeyman glazier. He then worked for Smith and Wardrup Glass Co. Burl became a partner at Smith and Wardrup in the late 1960s and became the sole owner in 1982. Shortly after, the name was changed to Wardrup and Sons Glass Company, where Burl worked until his retirement in 1999. In addition to being a local business owner, Burl was involved in his community. He was a member of the Early Risers Kiwanis and Sunrunners Car Club. Burl was preceded in death by his wonderful wife of 48 years, Lois; his sister, Betty Howland of El Centro and his granddaughter, Kayla Christine Wardrup Esq. of Lyons, Oregon. Burl is survived by his sons, Chris (Debbie) and Tom (Martha); sister, Marilyn Kirby and brother, Larry Wardrup; grandchildren, Leah Crocker, Thomas Wardrup, Julie Magsam and Christopher Wardrup; great-grandchildren, Eden, Cooper and Ella. Graveside services will be held at Evergreen Cemetery in El Centro, California on May 22, 2021 at 9 a.m. and will be officiated by Pastor Alex Iniguez-Church of the Nazarene.