John W Burleson

“Big” John Wesley Burleson, age 81 of Westerville, passed away July 27, 2022, after a long-drawn-out battle with cancer, at Danbury Assisted Living. 

Born March 14, 1941, in Columbus Ohio to Ruth Dillon Burleson and Ralph Burleson.  He attended Thompson High School while living in an orphanage before transferring to Linden McKinley High School where he excelled at playing basketball, and the ladies.

He was an avid reader, deeply appreciated classical music, opera, bird watching, photography, euchre, good and bad jokes just the same, and never missed a tasty meal.

John is preceded in death by his wife Sylvia Burleson of 48 years, his mother, father and younger brother Jim Burleson.  

He is survived by his daughter Leah Burleson, and her children, Alex and Dana Nagai, son Chris Burleson, his wife Tracy and their children Bai Hua and Kennedy Burleson, son Kenneth Dyer, his daughter Krystal Dyer, along with his brothers Mike, Bob, Dan and sister Barbara.    

A participatory memorial service will be held Saturday, August 6, 2022, with visitation at 10:00 and Memorial Service at 11:00 at Shaw-Davis Funeral Home, 4341 N. High St. Columbus 43214. 

In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?frequency_selected=2&sc_icid=mem-lp-donate-bttn-top