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J F Burney Veteran
November 03, 2009

Obituary

Dr. J F Burney, 80, Clarksville, died Tuesday, November 3, 2009, at his home.
The celebration of life service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday at Austin Peay State University in the Music/Mass Communications Building.
Burial will be in Salem Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home and from 11:30 a.m. until the hour of the service Friday at Austin Peay.

Neal-Tarpley Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Dr. Burney was born May 25, 1929, in Dickson County, TN and was preceded in death by his parents, John Jefferson Franklin and Ara Lee Gilliam Burney; sisters, Mattie Nell Parker, Annie Belle Murphy, Lydia Virtress Wall; brothers, James Willis Burney, John Ewin Burney, Joe Glendon Burney and William Thomas Burney; and two grandchildren.
Dr. Burney joined the faculty at Austin Peay State University in 1959 and retired in 1994. He enjoyed teaching throughout his career, and also served as Chair of the Department of Accounting and was Dean of the College of Business and Professional Programs for fifteen years. In 1987 Dr. Burney was awarded the Clarksville Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Faculty Award for Community Service, the second recipient of this prestigious award. In 1994, he was recognized by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission by receiving the state level award for Distinguished Community Service. In 1998 Dr. Burney traveled to Oman to teach at the Sultan Qaboos University. Dr. Burney received his Bachelors degree from Austin Peay State University (in 1957), and his Masters (in 1966) and Ph.D. (in 1969) from the University of Alabama. In addition to his love of teaching, Dr. Burney was dedicated to his volunteer work. He was an active member of Civitan International for 28 years, serving as an officer at all levels from the Clarksville Civitan Club, to the Valley District Civitan, and ultimately as President of Civitan International. During his time representing Civitan International, Dr. Burney had the opportunity to travel around the U.S. and the world. In July of this year, Dr. Burney was recognized as a Master Club Builder-Executive Level for the 17 clubs he organized and over 170 members he recruited into Civitan who were still active members. He played an integral part in the establishment of Progressive Directions, Inc. and the Cumberland Dialysis Clinic, as well as serving on the board of both organizations for many years. Dr. Burney was also a member of the Board for Harriett Cohn Mental Health Center for several years. Among his other many service programs in our community, Dr. Burney enjoyed the Special Olympics and Buddy Ball.
Survivors include his wife of fifty-three years, Mary Earlene Owen Burney, Clarksville; sons, Mike Burney, Joelton, Steve (Daphna) Burney, Nashville; daughters, Cheryl (Ron) Edmondson, Clarksville, Laurie Burney, Starkville, MS; sister, Ida Lee Penny, Romulus, MI; grandchildren, Jacob Burney, Clarksville, Makenzi Burney, Knoxville, Hunter Burney, Nashville, Jeremy Chandler, Clarksville, Josh McWhorter, Tuscaloosa, AL, Nate Edmondson, Clarksville, Matthew McWhorter, Starkville, MS, many loving nephews and nieces, and two special family friends, Dale and Deborah Baggett.
Pallbearers will be Jacob Burney, Makenzi Burney, Hunter Burney, Jeremy Chandler, Josh McWhorter, Nate Edmondson, Matthew McWhorter, and Marc Price. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Clarksville Civitan Club.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Dr. J F Burney Scholarship Fund which provides a scholarship to an Austin Peay State University student. Donations may be mailed to Valley District Civitan Foundation-Dr. J F Burney Scholarship, c/o Leroy Parks, P.O. Box 3980, Clarksville, TN 37043. Arrangements entrusted to Neal-Tarpley Funeral Home, 1510 Madison Street, Clarksville, TN 37040. Online condolences may be made at www.neal-tarpley

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Neal-Tarpley-Parchman Funeral Home
1510 Madison Street
Clarksville, TN 37040
931-645-6488