John K. “Jack” Burrows

RICHMOND, Ind. – John K. “Jack” Burrows, age 91, of Richmond, passed away peacefully with family by his side Monday, August 21, 2017, at Friends Fellowship Community. Jack was born on June 28, 1926, in St. Louis, Missouri, to John Enoch and Helen Margaret Hensel Burrows. As a high school student, he attended school during the day and worked in a munitions factory at night. Jack was an Eagle Scout. Graduating early, he served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Jack attended Washington University in St. Louis. Like his dad, Jack was a Shriner. He worked 37 years for McDonnell Aircraft, later called McDonnell-Douglas, and “helped put the boys up in space” for the Mercury and Gemini projects. Always a student of space science, Jack had one of the best seats in the house for the 2017 eclipse. In their retirement, Jack and his wife Mary moved to Hot Springs Village, Arkansas. They enjoyed bird watching, volunteering with the National Forest Service, collecting Toby Mugs, and visiting family. Jack was a fan of the St. Louis Blues, but enjoyed watching any hockey game he could find on TV. Jack relocated to Richmond, Indiana, in 2012 to be closer to his family. He enjoyed visiting his daughter’s farm near Centerville, Indiana, where he watched the birds, spoiled the black lab, Reuben, and ate plenty of his favorite whipped cream dessert. Always the jokester, Jack had a goofy smile in every photo taken by his grandchildren. He was an expert at “Jack Packing”, the elevated science of cargo loading a Chrysler sedan to achieve maximum payload. Jack saved room for dessert after every meal; the world’s cookie supply just became a bit larger. When he was affected by Alzheimer’s disease, Jack never lost his jokester streak and he always remembered that he was Grandpa. Jack will be greatly missed Survivors include his daughters, Susan (Larry) Hamilton of Centerville, Indiana, and Nancy Buehler of Elizabeth City, North Carolina; son, Ken (Vicki) Burrows of St. Louis, Missouri; grandchildren, Dr. Lynn (Steve) Bode of Knightstown, Indiana, Anne (Bo) Kessing of Kenosha, Wisconsin, David (Lindsey) Burrows of Gresham, Oregon, Dana (fiancé, Josh Warneke) Burrows of St. Peters, Missouri, Stephen (Sarah) Buehler of Rockford, Michigan, and Emily Buehler of Manchester, England; great-grandchildren, Claire and Grant Bode; nieces; and many friends. He was preceded in death by his wife of 45 years, Mary Dell Sayer Burrows, who died November 2, 1996; sister, Barbara Goodson; and brothers-in-law, John D. Sayer and Bob Goodson. Graveside service will be at Bellefontaine Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri. Arrangements are being handled by Doan & Mills Funeral Home, 790 National Road West, Richmond. Grateful for the loving caregivers at Friends Fellowship Community, the family requests memorial contributions to the Friends Fellowship Employee Christmas Fund, 2030 Chester Boulevard, Richmond, IN 47374 or Shriners Hospitals For Children – St. Louis, 4400 Clayton Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110. Condolences may be sent to the family via the guest book at www.doanmillsfuneralhome.com.