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Don Burroughs Obituary
Don "The Blade" Burroughs, born Aug. 19, 1931, went to be with the Lord Oct. 20, 2006, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Don grew up in Fillmore, as the only son after four sisters. He excelled in sports at Fillmore High School, earning varsity letters and all-county honors in football, baseball, basketball, and track. He continued on to Pasadena City College and earned all-Western State Conference honors as a quarterback. He later shared his athletic prowess with Ventura College, where he earned Little All-American as a quarterback, and was a member of the 1951 basketball state championship team. He kept on going on to Colorado State University where he earned All-Conference and All-American honors as a quarterback. He was drafted to play for the Los Angeles Rams, but the Army drafted him first, he went on to earn All-Army honors as a quarterback during his military service. He then became NFL rookie of the year with the Los Angeles Rams as a defensive back. That is where his friend Norm Van Brocklin dubbed Don "The Blade," as his 6-foot-5, 180-pound body was atypical of a football player. Don kept on progressing and eventually followed his friend Van Brocklin through a trade to the Philadelphia Eagles in 1960. It was a good year to be traded, as Philadelphia won the 1960 NFL World Championship. After 10 years of NFL football and 50 interceptions, Don retired. He eventually became a restaurant owner in Ventura and made "The King and I" a legendary place to eat. He sold his interest there and became a fuel distributor in Port Hueneme, having owned Fuel West. He is in the Colorado State University, Ventura County, Ventura College and Philadelphia City halls of fame. He is a member of the "All-Time" Los Angeles Rams and Philadelphia Eagles football teams. He was an active member of the Ventura Moose Lodge and enjoyed spending time with friends there.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ruth and Lester, and his sisters Elaine and Patricia.
Don is survived by his wife, Elaine; three daughters, Jeanne, Michele, and Laura; son, Andy; nine grandchildren, Ashley, Cameron, Aaron, Ariel, Alexandria, Danielle, Samantha, Sarah, and Kloey; one great-grandchild, Victoria; and two sisters, Eleanor and Kathleen.
Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Nov. 3 at Sacred Heart Church in Ventura.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Don Burroughs
Mary Bentley Hugh A. Crockett
November 14, 2006
Our deepest condolences to the Burroughs family.
Gloria Hanson
November 9, 2006
Our thoughts and prayers to Dons family. Don was a wonderful person. He will be missed by many. My brother Darryl McKitchens and myself enjoyed eating at the King and I with the host of host.
Monica Kleinsmith
November 3, 2006
Andy and Elaine,
My family and I feel deeply for you both. It is so hard to lose someone you love, especially when that someone is a person like Don, who was always so glad to see you and always had something nice to say when you saw him. He was alway so generous and sweet to my two daughters, Leanne and Lauren and was always willing to let them use "the pool key". We will all miss your husband/father he was a wonderful man and according to all who saw him play, a great football player in his day. I will remember you all in my prayers. Take care, we'll see you around.
Phil Rice
November 3, 2006
I was truly saddened to read that Don had passed away. He was 4 years ahead of me in HS, but I attended all his games in HS and VJC. My wife and I always had a "going away" party for him when he played for the Eagles. He lived at Seacliff and we lived at Solimar Beach. Ron Balden lived with me before we both got married and I believe we started the trend of the "going away parties." Many a good time was spent at the King and I, both at the restaurant and the bar. I remember he started business as a partner in the " Rams Express, then began a business as the Lucky Lager distributer, and finally progressed to the King and I and finally the fueling business. We had a lot of good times, dinner parties and beach parties. Alas, that was all in our younger days. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Elain,Kate and the Laurie, and the rest of the family. Phil and Judy Rice
Larry Dunst
October 31, 2006
Don was a neighbor of mine while I was growing up but the quality that I admired most in Don was his kindness and his courtesy. My wife and I were a frequent customer of Don's restuarant. He made dining at the King and I an enjoyable experience.
Please accept my family and my deapest sympathy to Don's wife Elaine and his family.
Roger France
October 31, 2006
To Don's family & very close friends ....... Don's notice was sent to me by Marrietta Parrish Spencer ......
Thank you for sending me this article on Don Burroughs ........ he's one of the guys who makes you proud to be from Fillmore and to have gone to Fillmore High.
He truly was "the real deal" -- he had ability but more than that he had a drive and a work ethic that drove him far above his natural abilities from being an excellent athlete to one of outstanding at the collegiate and professional levels. While he is most noted for his achievements in football a quick review of the Fillmore High Copa de Oro annuals will reveal his achievements in basketball, baseball, student government, etc.
As good as an athlete as he was he was an even greater person, very humble and appreciative of all who helped him along life's way and willing to give in return.
My personal connection, besides being a fan of him at all levels including the Rams and Eagles (1960 NFL Champions/equiv today of Super Bowl Champions) is that my parents and Don's parents were very good friends. My mother used to baby sit him so that his folks could get away for an evening or weekend.
In addition he never forgot you, I'll give you this example ......... many years ago Larry Dunst and I went over to the King & I for dinner (maybe he'll remember, he's copied on this note and Larry had been there several times, I'd never been there for dinner), we were greeted by Don, Larry went to introduce me to Don ...... Don interupted him and asked me, "how's your mom and dad doing? I haven't seen them for years. Please tell them hello for me".
What a greeting.
What a gracious and humble man and a great host.
When you think of "the real deal" here on earth some of us can say we met "the real deal"!
Roger France (Mission Viejo, CA)
Larry & Marietta Spencer
October 31, 2006
In the 50’s Don would come into the Fillmore Sunkist Orange Packing House & buy oranges. My mom “Bertha Gates Parrish” would pack the boxes for him & he would always give her a tip. My dad “Waldo” would show Don around & was one of Don’s biggest fans. Don thanks for many good memories. To his family I’m sorry for your loss. God’s blessing on you.
Pat Pennington
October 30, 2006
Don was a great boss and a good friend for many years. I will always remember that, with Don's height, he could watch both the front and rear doors of The King & I at once! He was a great host and a true friend to all of his customers. He made all of us who worked with him feel like family. There will never be another place like The King & I, or another crew like ours.
Phil Young
October 30, 2006
I never meet Don but he was my inspiration for wanting to play
quarterback at Fillmore High School. I even wore number 25 in
1960. It was always a thrill to attend Ram games and see him play.
I was sad when he went to the Eagles, but then happy when they
won the NFL Championship. His path from Fillmore to NFL All-Pro is an
"American Dream" story.
Marve Blue
October 29, 2006
The first words of the song are "and now the time has come and so I face the final curtain" For years I'd sing this song for Don, sometimes two or three times a night (and sometimes even sober). So now the time has come Don and everybody from those wonderful days at the King & I will always think of you when they hear "My Way". You were a terrific boss and a great friend. Much Aloha.
Rick Martinez
October 28, 2006
He was Uncle Don to me and I have many fond memories. He loved his family and was fun to around. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Hoyt Brodersen
October 28, 2006
Watched him grow up and progress to the NFL. Always a friend of the family. His dad worked for my dad.
Stephanie Haney
October 27, 2006
To Elaine, Andy, & Kloey
I am sorry for your loss. You are all great neigbors and you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Jon & Sandy Gateley
October 26, 2006
Another landmark gone when The King and I closed. Another icon gone with Don's passing. Condolences to your family and many friends. Ah, the King and I. Don, Suzie, Doty, Gene the bartender, Marv the piano player. Singing crazy songs around the piano. And the guy with the ice bucket! Escargot! And Don's never-ending but futile attempt to purify the air. Pray tell, where we will ever find such a place again? Well, many of us are getting so "creaky" these days that we probably couldn't get there any more anyway.
Imy Searcey
October 26, 2006
I was so saddened by the loss of Don. I knew Don at Ventura Junior College through Joe Scanlan from Fillmore. I also used to see him at the King and I when he owned the restaurant. He will be missed. My heart goes out to his wife and family.
Imy Searcey Stetler
JESS TORRES
October 26, 2006
DON SURE WAS A SPECIAL PERSON ALRIGHT. I PIN STRIPPRED HIS OLDS BACK IN 55 AND HE SAID AS HE TIPPED ME 5 BUCKS KEEP IN TOUCH, AND WE HAVE. I ENJOYED HIS COMPANY AND VISITED HIS ''KING AND I'' FOR WEEKEND DINNERS AND FUN. WE'ER GOING TO MISS YOU ''BLADE'' !
JESS TORRES
October 26, 2006
DON SURE WAS A SPECIAL PERSON ALRIGHT. I PIN STRIPPRED HIS OLDS BACK IN 55 AND HE SAID AS HE TIPPED ME 5 BUCKS KEEP IN TOUCH, AND WE HAVE. I ENJOYED HIS COMPANY AND VISITED HIS ''KING AND I'' FOR WEEKEND DINNERS AND FUN. WE'ER GOING TO MISS YOU ''BLADE'' !
Nikki Lopez
October 26, 2006
Don use to come into the Mailbox place I workedat in Ventura, for as long as I could remembered. It was kinda exciting to find out he was a former NFL player.(he was very proud) Very nice man...My thoughts and prayers go out to the family.
Chuck Silvas
October 26, 2006
I had a business relationship with Don when he owned Fuel West. Don was always a gentleman and a man of his word. I am deeply sorrowed by his passing. My sympathy to all his family.
Mike Lambert
October 26, 2006
Don was a cousin,my mother used to come to Fillmore during the summers and stay with the Grady's and the Burroughs famlies ,said they where the best times.
October 26, 2006
Our parents were regulars of the King and I during Mr. Burroughs ownership. It was their place to get away for a relaxing evening.
Our deepest sympathy to the family.
Susan Walker Miller
Lake Havasu City, AZ
Lori Walker Urban
Ventura, CA
Courtney Darrough
October 26, 2006
Mr. Burroughs was so nice to me when I first started bartending at the Moose Lodge in Ventura. I didn't know what I was doing, and he'd always give me good advice!! He was one of those people I'd always be happy to see. My family and I were sincerely saddened to hear of his passing.
Jack Weber
October 26, 2006
Don made a host of friends at
Saticoy Country Club and the
King and I. We were two of them.
Nancy and Jack Weber
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