John "Jack" Edward Burden Jr.

Jack Burden, 90, of Boulder, CO, passed peacefully into his next adventure while in his sleep. He was born and raised in Tampico, Mexico, before moving to the states to attend the New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell, in 1936.

During WWII, he was a Marine Corps instructor pilot on PBY Flying Boats in Corpus Christi, TX and later deployed to the South Pacific and China as a DC-3 pilot. His love of flying never ceased, and Jack went skydiving at age 82, flew solo in a glider at 83, and co-piloted a Cessna at age 90.

He graduated from Columbia University after his distinguished flying career in the military.

After working in the Louisiana oil fields, and later opening a real estate office in Lafayette, Louisiana, he moved to Boulder and started Burden and Burks Realty in 1965.

Jack finally retired from daily work in 2006 at age 83, where he was employed at NIST in Boulder. While at NIST he realized many employees lived in Longmont without adequate public transportation. With his contacts at RTD, he helped push through the creation of a Longmont-Boulder route. Hence the beginnings of the "J Bus", named in honor of "Jack". After retirement, he volunteered at Boulder Hospital, the Library, Safehouse, as a Spanish translator, and assisted in other organizations.

Jack loved to dance, laugh, hike, read, and keep active. He was a compassionate man that lived his long and happy life filled with adventures and friendliness. He is survived by his 4 children, Carolyn "Colly" Geer, Stuart Burden, Cotton Burden (Joy) and Victoria Hurley (Michael). His 13 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, and many friends cherish him with memories of laughter, many thought-provoking conversations, and peaceful love.

Private services have been held. Contributions may be made to your favorite charity in his honor. Please share your memories, thoughts and condolences at www.cristmortuary.com.