R. James “Jim” Burleson died peacefully in New Smyrna Beach, Fla., on June 19, 2014 with his beloved wife, Anne, at his side.
Jim was born in Roan Mountain, Tenn., on October 3, 1938, the son of Aaron Burleson and Virginia Leigh Shell Burleson. He was preceded in death by his son, Bill, on May 17, 2013, his brother, Eddie, in 2012, and half sister, Bobbie Miller McKinney, in 2010.
Jim was raised in Roan Mountain and graduated from Cloudland High School and Milligan College. Following graduation, he was a teacher in the Carter County School System at Hopson, Shell Creek and Cloudland Elementary schools. He was appointed Postmaster of the Roan Mountain Post Office in 1967 and served until his retirement in 1992. After moving to Florida in 1993, Jim entered the Real Estate business with Keyes Real Estate until 2013. Jim and Anne divided their time between homes in Roan Mountain and Edgewater, Fla.
Jim is survived by his wife, Anne; daughter and son-in-law, Diane and Matt McKinney, and grandchildren, Shellie and Mattison McKinney and Randall Johnson. He also leaves his brothers, Bob (Gail) Burleson and Tom (Peggy) Burleson; sister-in-law, Ginger Freeman Burleson; cousins, Geraldine Slaughter Whitehead and R.A. Burleson; and several much loved nephews, nieces and cousins. Jim also leaves his “Scottish” family, Christine, Ron and Ben Francis and Mike, Sandra, Mark and Neil Montgomery.
Jim was a lifelong member of Magill Memorial Presbyterian Church where services will be held on Saturday, June 28, at 11 a.m. Committal will immediately follow in the Big Oak Tree family cemetery. Friends are welcome to visit the home of Matt and Diane McKinney, 8159 Highway 19E, Roan Mountain.