Our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, Dean Burdsall, peacefully went to be with Jesus the morning of Monday, October 11th in hospice care after a 3 month struggle following a stroke. He was 86.
Early Life
Growing up in Indianapolis, Indiana, as the son of an electrician and homemaker, Dean had fond memories of going to his grandmothers farm, eating ketchup and mayonnaise sandwiches, playing with his dog Skippy, going to Lake Freeman in the summer, chasing fireflies, and fishing. He loved the Indianapolis 500 and even got to go around the track. He left home at 16 to finish high school in California and had the honor of speaking as valedictorian.
At 22, Dean graduated from Pasadena College with a BA degree in accounting. He graduated on a Friday and was married a day later. He was drafted into the army 9 months later. He served his country for 2 years in the military at Ft Ord in Monterey, California, serving in the administrative offices having a distinction of typing 135 words a minute. His attention to detail and organization lead him into his full time career in Public Accounting.
Career
Upon leaving the army, he went to work for Peat, Marwick, Mitchell, Certified Public Accountants, as a staff accountant where he worked for 8 years until 1969. He went onto an executive role as controller for GRT corporation where he worked for 2 years. In 1971, he was recruited to became one of 4 partners at Brooks, Stednetz, and Rhodes as central Principal helping form the business from 1971 to 1998. He was very active in the community serving at various Rotary Clubs for 43 years, with several years as President. He was very active in the AICPA International Association acting as Chair and serving on a variety of key committees well over 50 years. He became known leader in the peer review industry. Other organizations included California Society of CPA’s and Brentwood Summerset Board Treasury for 3 years.
Faith
Dean’s faith was very important to him and he was faithful through a number of church affiliations, He served on church boards, acted as the church organist for regular service and for Easter Cantata’s, and was very socially active hosting neighborhood Bible study groups through the years.
Family
His inspirations and hobbies were many, he loved to garden and maintain his beautiful backyards with his primary love growing beautiful roses. He loved photography, music, reading, and watching movies once he retired. He loved to play tennis and teaching his sons to fish. He took his family on camping trips all over the US in a travel trailer for 6 people, his favorite trip was a 2 week trip through the western states into Canada. He owned a second home on the water in Discovery Bay along with a boat in its dock.
Vacations grew into international adventures. More than anything, Dean lived to explore the world. He went to 7 continents, 84 countries and 54 cruises. His favorite places to see were, Venice, Great Wall of China, and the Holy Land. He developed friends around the world during his travels. He traveled with friends, extended family, and most cherished were the 4 cruises he paid for his immediate family to enjoy together. Those became our favorite family times.
Dad lived a life full of passion and accomplishment. He excelled at everything he did and expected excellence from all those he dealt with. He was generous and loving, kind and thoughtful. He loved to invest in people and share his resources with people he met along his journey. He left an impression on all he met. Near the end, he told us he just wanted to be with Jesus. He is with him now.
Survived by:
He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 64 years, Georgia Burdsall, his brother, Kenneth and wife Frances of Gloucester, Massachusetts. Also survived by his 4 sons, 8 grandchildren, and his very special dog and companion Buster.
Sons included Kevin, wife Dellene, children Melissa, Chad, and Darcy, Craig and Michael of San Francisco, Scott, wife Lisa, children Tyler and wife Adriana and Alex, son Jeffrey, wife Kristi, children Owen, Brody, and Reese.
In Memory
Memorials may be directed to Cathedral Care Home in Brentwood California. 2707 Cathedral Circle, Brentwood, CA 94513.
Funeral Information
Funeral Services will be held in person at “Brentwood Funeral Home” at 839 First Street Brentwood, CA 94513 on Tuesday October 19th at 1 PM.
A light lunch will be served following at the location.
Internment
A private family ceremony will be held at Union Cemetery in Brentwood.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
v.1.9.5