Jack Elton Burnham

Jack Elton Burnham, son of the late George Enoch Burnham and Viola Craft Burnham, went to be with the Lord on January 15, 2016 at the age of 80, following a 2 year illness. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 19th at Memory Chapel in Laurel, MS. Visitation begins one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Mize, MS. Rev. George Cornett will officiate. Jack was born and reared in Laurel, MS. He attended LSU School of Music where he obtained his Master of Music Degree in vocal performance. He was a frequent soloist with the LSU A Cappella Choir, under the direction of the renowned Dallas Draper. He spent his life serving the Lord through his passion in music. During his career, Jack served as minister of music at churches including Colonial Heights Baptist and First Presbyterian in Jackson, MS. He was choral director at Callaway High School , where he produced respected choral groups including the Callaway High School A Capella Choir. He was a noted bass-baritone soloist for oratorios and operatic performances and was a member of the popular Maurice Thompson Singers for many years. Over the course of his career, Jack produced numerous recordings, including albums featuring his choirs and a gospel solo album. In the 1970’s Jack and his family lived in Mendenhall, MS, where he opened a real estate office and developed various properties. He served as minister of music at Mendenhall United Methodist Church, directed community theater productions, and created the vocal group, The Jack Burnham Singers. Jack spent the latter years of his life in Granbury, TX., where his performances included a leading role in “The Promise”, a longstanding musical production of the life of Christ, performed annually at the Texas Amphitheater in Glen Rose, TX. His passion to invest in the lives of others and to develop young musicians led to the opening of a private voice studio. He served as music director of Thorp Spring Baptist Church until his retirement at age 77. In 2013 Jack moved back to Louisiana where he was surrounded by family and friends, until his death. He is survived by his three children: Jeff Burnham and wife Debe Terral Burnham, Debbie Burnham Hebert and husband, Loree W. Hebert, Jr.,Steve Burnham and wife, Genevieve Jones Burnham, his 6 grandchildren: Jeremy Burnham, Jordan Burnham, Joshua Hebert, Amanda Hebert Breaux, Nicholas Burnham, Brittany Burnham, and 11 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Doris Burnham, sister in law, Lucille Burnham, a niece, and four nephews. The family requests that memorial donations be directed to a ministry of your local church or the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation. Memory Chapel is in charge of services. To view and sign the guest register visit www.memorychapellaurel.com

Jack Elton Burnham

May 27, 1935 - January 15, 2016