Gary Wallace Burau of Frisco, Texas passed away March 20, 2019 at the age of 76. He was born December 21, 1942 to Wallace Burau and Linda (Feine) Burau in Noonan, North Dakota. Gary married Diane Willits on August 28, 1982 in Moline, Illinois.
Gary was born and raised in rural North Dakota. He graduated from North Dakota State and was a member of the Theta Chi Fraternity. Gary immediately began his career with John Deere Company. Over a successful 38 years, Gary held numerous positions and moved across the country in the marketing and credit part of the organization working both globally and domestically. In 1987, Deere moved Gary and his family to Dallas. He retired in 2002 as the Dallas Branch Manager.
Upon retirement, Gary began working on the lake home becoming the project manager, overseeing Diane’s time management, and serving on the Homeowner’s board of our neighborhood. He also served on the board of Frisco Family Services for a number of years. Gary loved retirement and never looked back.
He is survived by his spouse, Diane Burau of Frisco, Texas; son, Patrick Burau (Esmeralda Solano) of San Antonio, Texas; daughters, Elizabeth Brane (Sheldon Satterthwaite) of Snohomish, Washington and Morgan Hosler (Jonathan) of Overland Park, Kansas; grandchildren, Sienna Brane, Milana Brane, Graham Hosler and Isaac Hosler; his sister, Janice Newman (Dennis); brother, Jerry Burau (Colleen) and brother, Shannon Burau (Laura); and numerous nieces and nephews.
Gary was preceded in death by his grandson, Matthew Burau; nephew, Kirk Newman; and parents, Wallace and Linda Burau.
In 2010, Gary was diagnosed with a rare lymphoma (AITL). With Gary’s faith, strength and tenacity, as well as the godly efforts of Dr. Bhushan and staff, Gary was able to have an extra 9 years, enabling him to enjoy and witness so many milestones during that time. Gary embraced life with a zest and his favorite mantra….”LIFE IS GOOD’!
Gary loved hunting, fishing, golfing, and motorcycling with his buddies. His passions included enjoying time with his beloved family, traveling and spending time with friends at the lake home and beyond.
We will celebrate Gary’s life on Monday, April 1, 2019 and Tuesday, April 2, 2019. A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, April 2, 2019 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 2700 West Spring Creek Parkway, Plano, Texas 75023. The family will receive friends during a remembrance gathering on Monday evening from 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home in Allen, Texas. A reception is to immediately follow at Stonebriar Country Club, 5050 Country Club, Frisco Texas 75034.
The family requests memorials to be sent to Frisco Family Services in Memory of Gary Burau. FFS is a 501c3 charity. Please put Gary Burau’s name on your memo line of your check made out to: Frisco Family Services, P.O. Box 1387, Frisco, Texas 75034.