Phillip D. Burleson

Phillip (Phil) Dean Burleson, of Conway, South Carolina, unexpectedly passed away on January 14th, 2025, at the age of 61. Phil lived with great joy and was a bright light to all who knew him.
Phil is survived by his beloved family: His wife of more than 39 years, Leslie Burleson, and their sons, Tyler Burleson (Rachel Baum) and Aaron Burleson (Emily Kasinskas). Phil also is survived by his brother, Gene Burleson (Jerri Burleson), niece Hailey Schulz (Spencer Schulz), nephew Samuel Burleson, sister in-law Vickie Stanley (Doug Stanley), and nephew Nicholas Stanley.
A native of North Carolina, Phil joined the U.S. Air Force directly after high school in 1981 and served as an electronics technician. At his first assignment at Sembach Air Force Base, Germany, he met Leslie, an airman who also had been stationed there, while standing gate guard duty. Phil went on to join the U.S. Army Reserves as a Drill Sergeant, serving his country until 1992. Making the transition to civilian life, he joined NAVCO Security Systems as a service technician and through 33 years of hard work and dedicated service, rose through the ranks to become a Senior Vice President of Operations for the U.S. East Coast.
Phil had many hobbies and passions he was able to share with friends and family. He was an avid golfer, skier, at-home chef, car enthusiast, and mountain biker. Phil was famous for his pizza creations, smoked BBQ and espresso martinis. Anytime Phil cooked or played bartender, you were always taken care of. Phil was larger than life and had a positive impact on everyone who met him. It didn't matter who you were or how long you knew him, he genuinely cared about the people around him. He loved his neighborhood brothers, whom he frequently made late for dinner as they engaged in cul-de-sac gossip. Skilled at construction and proud of his handyman skills, Phil never backed down from a home repair challenge and was a fan of YouTube DIY videos. A devoted animal lover, Phil has rejoined his beloved, departed furbabies- Chabu, Sammy, Roxy, and Lilly - and is survived by his cherished feline family - Sarge, Moki, Izzy, and Penelope.
Calling Hours will be held at Holmes Watkins Funeral Home, located at 400 Main Street, Manchester CT from 4pm till 5:30pm. A Celebration of Phil's life will begin at 5:30pm until 6pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Tunnels to Towers, Wounded Warrior Project, or the ASPCA in Phil's memory. Phil was a bright light and needed in this world more than ever. It goes without saying that Phil will be extremely missed by his family, both immediate and extended. His legacy lives on through each person who ever interacted with him in moments now deeply cherished and never to be forgotten.