Roscoe Gordon Burrows I arrived on December 31, 1936, in his family home in Coffeyville, Kansas as the son of Robert and Helen Burrows. Roscoe was preceded in death by an infant brother and was raised as the only living child. Gordon was reunited with his beloved wife Calvin Ann, his daughter Nancy Ann and his parents on Veterans Day of November 11, 2022. Even though Gordon was not a veteran of war he was by definition a veteran of life and love, “a person who has had long experience.” His life experience and wisdom will forever be a treasure that is passed along by his children and grandchildren.
Roscoe was known to friends as Gordon, to family as Pops. Gordon had an abounding love of family. This love overflowed much bigger than his own wife and children and became inclusive to many of his children’s friends, who also lovingly called him “Pops”. Gordon was not only big is stature as a man that stood 6’ 2” but also big in life, sacrifice and love.
Gordon married Patricia Porter in 1955 and became the father of three children Roscoe Gordon Burrows II, Alan Lee Burrows and Darla Dawn (Burrows) Long. Gordon was later remarried to Calvin Ann Linton in 1966. Ann was the mother of Janet Sue (Linton) Mayes and Nancy Ann (Linton) McIntire. Gordon and Ann felt that putting their family together was greater than getting married and made the decision to adopt each other’s children and soon had their own Brady Bunch.
Gordon prided himself in being a good provider and example to his five children. Gordon learned the value of hard work and finances at an early age from his parents who lived through the great depression. At a young age Gordon had his own delivery business, worked at Sherwin Williams, and later sealed it up with and amazing and successful career in insurance and finance which eventually led him to move his family to Texas. It was his devotion to family that led him back to Kansas when his father became ill.
Gordon always had a love for adventure and music but his devotion to family trumped all. He was a man of great sacrifice for those that were privileged enough to be a part of his world. As a young man he sold his Harley Davidson motorcycle to buy his father a Crosley station wagon. His love for music turned into a band called Rhythm Aces in which he played saxophone, clarinet and was a lead singer but when the road called for him to travel with the band, he chose family over fame. He shared his love for music and dance often playing Yakety Sax and dancing in the living room to the entertainment of his children. He would sing songs on those long road trips between Texas and Kansas many that are still sung today.
His greatness was in teaching his children and grandchildren the value of a handshake and that a man’s word was his honor, that things don’t come free in life but sometimes payment meant just showing up, He solved some of life’s biggest lessons from a porch swing, encouraged his children and grandchildren to understand the importance of grabbing life while you have the time. He was a force bigger than life itself, he not only taught big lessons, but he loved Big.
Gordon was a humble and wise man that gave more than he expected, made his family his priority, was always willing to make a sacrifice for those that needed. Gordon left some pretty big shoes to fill and the sense of loss is great. He will be greatly missed by his family, extended family, and friends.
Gordon is survived by, he and Ann’s Brady Bunch family that grew and grew, starting with his son, Roscoe Gordon Burrows II (wife Deanna) 3 grandchildren Tracy Burrows, Callie Burrows, Taylor Burrows and one great grandchild; son, Alan Lee Burrows (wife Nancy) 3 grandchildren, Katie Erikson (husband Davin), Jenny Burrows, Robert Burrows(wife Carolyn) and 8 great grandchildren; daughter Darla Dawn Long (husband Goose) grandchildren, Jessi Long, Amber Wade (Husband Zack) and 5 great grandchildren; Daughter Janet Sue Mayes (husband Windall) grandchildren, Christy Kelley Mayes (preceded in death), Lucas Moody (wife Amy), Tyler Moody (wife Catherine), Logan Moody , Bryan Mayes wife Sarah), Kelsey Ratzlaff (husband Beau), Sammi Meadows and 13 great grandchildren; daughter Nancy Ann McIntire (preceded in death) grandchildren Tessa Brooks, Alesha Green, Levi McIntire, Cruz McIntire, 4 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren.
Services will be held on Friday, November 18, 2022, at 10am at Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel, 2405 Woodland Ave., Coffeyville, Kansas. Gordon will be laid to rest next to his wife, Ann following the service at Mt. Hope Cemetery, in Humbolt, Kansas. The family will receive friends on Thursday, November 17, 2022, from 6 to 8pm at Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel. The family has requested memorial contributions be made payable to Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice and may be left in care of the chapel. Services will be streamed live under his obituary page at www.fordwulfbrunschapel.com where you may also leave an online word of condolence or share a memory.
