Gary Burdette, MMR

The photo is by Paul Lapointe

16 March 2017: With great sadness I must let you know that Gary Burdette, MMR, passed away late March 15 from complications related to his cancer. Obviously, this leaves many of us grieving. Gary will be sorely missed.
Bob Weinheimer

Obituary – Gary J. Burdette
(February 4, 1951 - March 15, 2017)

Gary J. Burdette, 66, of Point Pleasant passed away March 15 at Cabell Huntington Hospital after a brief battle with colon cancer.

He was born February 4, 1951 in Parkersburg, WV to the late Bevan and Garnet Burdette. He was a 1969 graduate of Wahama High School and graduated from Marshall University with a BA in General and Biological Sciences and an MA in Counseling. He retired after 34 years of teaching science at Point Pleasant Junior High School and serving as counselor and work based facilitator at Point Pleasant High School. During those years, he spent countless hours creating props and drawing and painting backdrops for the Black Knight Marching Band competition shows and the Black Knight Revue. Loving all things trains, he joined the National Model Railroader Association and became a Master Model Railroader. Serving as superintendent of the NMRA Coal Division, he worked to further both the joy of model railroading and promote the history and heritage of the railroads. The St. Albans Depot and Gallipolis Freight Depot renovations were among his many projects. A longtime member of the C&O Historical Society, he was editor of the Basement Subdivision, a modeling column in their monthly newsletter. Putting his modeling skills to good use, he authored the book "Modeling the C&O" which was published and sold at hobby and craft stores.

He was a member of the former St. Paul United Methodist Church and was attending Trinity United Methodist Church.

Surviving are his wife of 41 years, Janie Phillips Burdette, son Gary Burdette (Janna Skinner) of Lawrence, KS, daughter and son-in-law Anna and Adam Frazier of Point Pleasant, grandchildren Owen and Leah Frazier, bonus grandchildren Ewan Campbell and Liam Kepler of Lawrence, KS, mother-in-law Nadine Phillips of Point Pleasant, brother-in-law Mark Phillips of Proctorville, OH, special cousins Don and Charlotte Harper of Parkersburg, WV, special friend Bert the cat, and a host of train friends all over the country.

Visitation will be Sunday March 19 from 5:00 - 8:00 and a celebration of his life will be held Monday March 20 at 11:00 at Crow Hussell Funeral Home. Officiating will be Rev. Jim Kelly. Burial will follow in Mound Hill Cemetery, in Gallipolis. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Jude's, Shriner's Hospital for Children, or the American Cancer Society.

16 March: Expressions of sympathy and comfort can be sent to the family at 2679 Sandhill Rd, Point Pleasant, WV 25550.
Dan Mulhearn, Ass't Super has been appointed Superintendent.
Steve Kaplan, President, MCR

16 March: This is really bad news. I’ve known Gary for about 45 years, since my first C&O convention in Beckley, WV, back when we were young pups, and I always looked forward to seeing him at the MCR conventions and at Division 9 events. He will be sorely missed.
Bob, please convey my heartfelt condolences to his family, and to all his friends in Division 9.
Mike Brestel

16 March: For those who do not know Gary, he was the superintendent for Division 9, was a regular on the clinic circuit, a fan of the C&O, and imaginative "re-purposer" of ordinary household items into finished hobby-related models.
He was also a good writer - as a subscriber to the Division 9 newsletter, I always enjoyed his articles. My understanding is that he was a teacher by profession; those skills were evident in his clinic presentation style.
Matt Goodman

16 March: Condolences from Division 3. I will announce Gary's death at our meeting this Sunday.
Richard Lach

16 March: Condolences also from Division 5. And from me personally as Gary visited my layout a few years ago and was very complimentary as I also have a C & O theme. I always enjoyed Gary’s clinics and was very grateful for him to offer several for the 2014 national convention in Cleveland.
Dave Neff, Superintendent Division 5

16March: Condolences from all of us at Division Two. I have known Gary and have listened to his clinics at many of the conventions. I will announce his passing at our division meeting this Sunday.
Keith DeVault, Superintendent Division 2

16 March: Condolences from everyone at Division 1. Gary's clinics were very much enjoyed and he will be greatly missed.
Jim DiPaola, Superintendent Division 1, MCR, NMRA

16 March: Condolences from all of us at Division 6. Gary will be missed by the members of the division. Mainly his clinics at conventions, his discussions at joint Division 9 and Division 6 meetings at Portsmouth, and his comments and comradeship at joint meetings in Marion.
Greg Short, Superintendent Division 6.

17 March: Condolences from all of Division 10. He will be missed.
Bob Belt, Superintendent Division 10, MCR NMRA

17 March: Thanks for passing this along - - it is sad to loose another good person and railroader. Unfortunately, I came to the hobby a little late to get to know Gary, but here are a couple of Division 8 members who did know him and had this to say.
Thanks Russ. I'm very sad to hear the news of Gary's passing. I got to speak with him at last year's MCR convention and I attended his clinic. He was truly a wonderful person and I will surely miss him.
Bob Frankrone
Gary was an expert modeler, taking awards at many of the Conventions I have attended. Also I operated with him on Bob Weinheimer and Lin Young's layouts. Gary had a low key humorous way of presenting his clinics. One I remember was he used several scraps and odd items in his structure building. He will be missed.
Bob Dawson
Everyone, enjoy the hobby and the fellowship right now.
Sincerely, Russ Weis and Division 8

 

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