Theodore Roosevelt Burleson Jr.

Theodore Roosevelt “Ted” Burleson, Jr., 90, of Salisbury, passed away May 9, 2024 at Novant Health Glenn A. Kiser Hospice House.

Born March 20, 1934 in Crossnore, NC, he was the son of the late T. R. Burleson and Gwendolyn McKinney Burleson. He was a 1952 graduate of Harris High School (now Mitchell High) where he played “Iron-Man” football. He was first employed with Dairy Herd Improvement Association (DHIA), then with North Carolina Department of Agriculture (NCDA) as a supervisor of the poultry unit for over thirty years. After retiring from the NCDA, his personal poultry farm continued to operate for many years and he later worked as a security guard at Freightliner.

Ted served as Deacon and Sunday School teacher, and most recently was a member of Calvary Baptist Church. A jokester, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, beekeeping, and family tree research. His favorite place to fish was the Linville River. He was a Sudoku enthusiast, and he loved to play the game Sequence. He was always looking to create or use environmental efficiency products.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Louise Mace Burleson, February 5, 2015; sisters, Mable Lee Haga, Mary Lou Napoli, Jennie Cornett; and brother, Russell Burleson.

Left to cherish his memory are daughters, Terri L. Burleson, Mitzi B. Hellmann (Richard); son Ed Burleson (Pam); grandchildren, Kara Melchiore (Brandon), Laura Craig (Bryce), Seth Burleson (Cydney), Mitchell Burleson; great-grandchildren, Emmelia, Adelaide, Mary Lily; sisters, Carolyn Burnette, Julia Ellis, Angie Duncan; brothers, Bob Burleson, Fred Burleson; and many nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends 5-7 p.m. Monday (May 13) at Summersett Funeral Home, 1315 West Innes Street, Salisbury, NC.

A second visitation will be held 2-3 p.m. Tuesday (May 14) at Webb Funeral Home, 1128 Roan Rd, Spruce Pine, NC. The funeral service will follow at 3 p.m. in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Scott Faw officiating. Burial will follow at the Spruce Pine Memorial Cemetery.

Donations can be made to Novant Health Glenn A. Kiser Hospice House, 1229 Statesville Blvd, Salisbury, NC 28144 or Calvary Baptist Church 2255 E. Ridge Road, Salisbury, NC 28144.

Summersett Funeral Home is serving the Burleson family. Online condolences may be made at www.summersettfuneralhome.com.