Edward M. Burrows, 87, of East Jordan, Michigan and Leighton, Alabama, died Tuesday, June 21, 2016, at McLaren Northern Michigan Hospital in Petoskey, Michigan.
He was born on April 26, 1929, in Fort Payne, Alabama the son of Luther Reese and Alma (Silvers) Burrows. Growing up, Ed was an Eagle Scout and enjoyed the Lookout Mountain area. In 1947, he enlisted in the United States Army and served his country in the post war repatriation of Okinawa. After his military service, he returned home to play high school football and graduated from Fort Payne High School in 1949. Ed attended Florence State University, now known as University of North Alabama, on a football scholarship. He played on their 1949, 1950, and 1951 football teams before his graduation. During college Ed was enrolled in the ROTC program and earned his commission as a second lieutenant.
He married Cynthia Kimbrough on Nov. 26, 1952, in Leighton, Alabama
Ed then received his Master’s in Health Education from Central Michigan University.
Ed taught and coached for three years at Green Cove Springs, Florida before moving to East Jordan in 1956. He started the physical education program for the East Jordan Public Schools, coached the skiing and tennis teams, and served as the district’s athletic director for a few years. Ed retired in 1986. In 1995, Ed was inducted into the Michigan High School Tennis Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
He was a member and elder of the First Presbyterian Church in East Jordan.
He enjoyed Northern Michigan for its hunting, fishing, skiing, and sailing.
Ed is survived by his wife of 67 years, Cynthia Kimbrough Burrows, of East Jordan and Leighton, Alabama; son, Edward Stokes Burrows, of Florence, Alabama; daughter, Jamie Burrows Lynch, of Florence, Alabama; grandson, Creighton Lynch, of Florence, Alabama; granddaughter, Jordan Lynch, of Florence, Alabama; two sisters, Dorthea Tucker and Barbara Manderson, both of Gadsden, Alabama; and a sister-in-law, Jessie Wilson, of Florence Alabama.
He was preceded in death by a son, Robert Burrows, and a brother, Lanara Burrows.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, June 27, 2016, at 11 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in East Jordan with the Rev. Lois Aroian officiating.
The family will receive friends today from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Penzien Funeral Homes, Inc. in East Jordan.
A graveside service will be held on Friday, July 1, 2016, at 11 a.m. at the Preuit Cemetery in Leighton, Colbert County, Alabama, under the direction of the Morrison Funeral Home of Tuscumbia, Alabama. The pallbearers are Leroy Tucker, Mike Manderson, Stokes Burrows, Tony Gargis, Anthony “Tony” Smith, and honorary pallbearers are Percy King, Jimmy King, Fennel Mauldin, and Allen Alsobrook. Memorial contributions may be given to the donor’s choice.
