Kerry Edward Burleson of McKinney, Texas, passed away on October 3, 2026, at the age of 91, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of family, faith, service, achievement, and a life well lived.
Kerry was born on October 23, 1934, in Groesbeck, Texas, to Otis and Sue (Stewart) Burleson. The third of eight children, four boys and four girls, he grew up surrounded by a large family that helped shape the values of hard work, loyalty, and determination that would remain with him throughout his life.
Kerry graduated from Groesbeck High School in 1952, where he distinguished himself both academically and athletically. He lettered in four sports and graduated as valedictorian of his class.
That same year, he began his studies at Texas A&M University, an institution that would remain an important part of his life. During his four years at A&M, Kerry was a member of the Corps of Cadets and was commissioned through the Air Force ROTC. He graduated cum laude in 1956 with a degree in civil engineering and later returned to Texas A&M to earn his master’s degree in civil engineering.
Following his commission, Kerry attended navigator school in Harlingen, Texas. Before being deployed overseas, his life took an even more important turn when he met and married the love of his life, Katherine Marlene Sadler. Kerry and Marlene began their married life with an adventure, moving to Tripoli, Libya, where Kerry was stationed with the United States Air Force. It was there that they welcomed their first child, Kerry Edward Burleson Jr., on December 30, 1959.
The family later transferred to Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, California, where they welcomed two more children, Ginger and Mark.
Kerry’s years in the Air Force brought a number of memorable experiences and responsibilities. His service included air-rescue duties and several notable missions, including an incident involving a U-2 aircraft and a damaged aircraft in the Gobi Desert. During the Bay of Pigs crisis, Kerry served on alert for American aircraft. He flew the C-54 and attained the rank of Captain before completing his military service.
In 1965, Kerry began the next chapter of his career when he joined his brother Kenneth in the family business, K&B Engineering Company. Together, they designed and constructed microwave communication towers and built a successful engineering company whose projects reached across the United States and throughout the Americas.
After selling the business in 1982, Kerry pursued a variety of entrepreneurial ventures while increasingly devoting his time and energy to another of his great interests—the land and ranching.
In 1975, Kerry and Marlene had moved their family to a ranch north of McKinney, where Kerry raised Charolais and Brahman cattle. The ranch became much more than a place to live. It reflected so much of who Kerry was: independent, hardworking, curious, and happiest when there was something worthwhile to build, improve, or care for.
Faith was another constant throughout Kerry’s life. He and Marlene were longtime members of First Baptist Church, where Kerry faithfully served as a deacon, Sunday School teacher, and member of various committees. His Christian faith was expressed not only through his service to the church, but through his commitment to his family and his willingness to serve others.
After eventually selling the ranch, Kerry and Marlene moved into McKinney, where they continued to enjoy a life centered around family, friends, church, and community. Kerry was active in the Rotary Club for many years and enjoyed participating in several bridge clubs.
He was also a lifelong learner with an active and inquisitive mind. Whether working a crossword puzzle, tackling Sudoku, playing Words with Friends, or simply learning something new, Kerry enjoyed a good mental challenge and never lost his natural curiosity.
In 2024, Kerry and Marlene moved to Touchmark, where they continued their life together and enjoyed the friendship and community around them. Kerry will be remembered for his remarkable intellect, adventurous spirit, deep faith, devotion to family, and enduring love of learning. His life carried him from a small Texas town to Texas A&M, across the world in service to his country, into a successful engineering career, and eventually to the ranch he loved.
Yet for all that he accomplished, the roles that mattered most were those closest to home. Above all, Kerry was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend.
His 68-year marriage to Marlene was at the heart of his life, a partnership built over decades of shared adventures, challenges, accomplishments, family milestones, and countless ordinary days together.
Kerry lived a long and meaningful life, marked by purpose, accomplishment, service, curiosity, and love. He touched many lives along the way, and his memory will remain a blessing to the family and friends who knew and loved him.
Kerry is survived by his wife, Katherine Marlene Burleson; children, Kerry Jr. and wife, Patty; Ginger and husband, Chris; and Mark and wife, Rhonda; grandchildren, Ashley, Hannah and husband, Kelby, Kerry III, Adam and wife, Kyla, Benjamin, Katherine, Drew and wife, Lindsey, Luke and wife, Danielle, and Brooke and husband, Josh and Bret, and great grandchildren, Everly, Layla, Quinn, Finnley, Austin June, Kinsley, Jack, Connor and Ruby.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, October 8, 2026 at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas 75013. The service will also be live streamed.
Interment will be held at Ridgeview Memorial Park following the service.
The family will receive guests for visitation beginning at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, prior to the service.