Jerome Patrick Burneson

Jerome Patrick Burneson (Jerry/JP) passed away on Friday, August 8th after living a full and wonderful life. Jerry was the epitome of a hard worker, a devoted family man and an ornery tractor-loving farmer. He brought so much joy to all those around him and helped his family in ways they will forever be grateful.

Jerry was born in Cape Girardeau, Missouri to Elsie Faye (Dirickson) and Samuel T. Burneson. In 1942, he moved to Mason City, Iowa with his parents and older sister Shirley. In 1954, the family relocated again when his parents bought a bowling alley in Boulder, Colorado. There he met the love of his life in a Boulder High cheerleading uniform, Barbara (Kinney). They married in 1957 at St. John's Episcopal Church. That same year, while working at Bailey's Gas Station, Jim East recognized his work ethic and recruited him to join King & East Machinery. This began his love of heavy equipment and was the start of his 15-year stint with the organization. In 1972, he joined Power Equipment Company and eventually purchased the organization in 1983. During this time, he served on numerous manufacturing and dealer councils including Colorado Contractors Association, Colorado Ready Mixed Concrete Association and Colorado Asphalt Dealers. He sold the company in 1997 and officially retired in 2000. He truly loved what he did and told many stories about his working years up until the very end.

He and Barbara raised their two daughters, Jamie (Comency) and Kris (Hodgson) in the home they built in Boulder. In 1997, they relocated to Longmont where he was able to live out his farmer dreams. When he wasn't bailing hay or driving around one of his many tractors, he could be found up in North Park at his cabin fishing the Big Creek Lakes. He was an active member of Hygiene United Methodist Church and enjoyed singing in the choir for many years. He also was a part of the Chapel at Big Creek.

Between Barbara, their two daughters and six granddaughters, Jerry spent the majority of his life primarily surrounded by women. He had a lot of jokes to tell about the situation he found himself in but also took this role incredibly serious. He was constantly taking care of everyone while imparting his wisdom and life lessons upon us all. He had the most infectious personality and generous spirit. He was truly the rock of our family and there will be a missing piece now that he is gone. Luckily, he taught us to be strong like him to weather difficult times like these.

Jerry is preceded in death by his parents Faye and Sam Burneson, sister Shirley Demarco Reaume and half-brothers Sam Burneson and Bob Burneson. He is survived by his wife, Barbara; daughters Jamie Comency and Kris (Don) Hodgson; granddaughters Brittany (Cory) Rose, Kayla (Dan) Chase, Candice (Gabe Schreiber) Hodgson, Kinsley (Jay Brown) Hodgson, Jenny (AJ) Michaels and Hannah Comency; great grandchildren Natalee, Maya, Sawyer and Michael as well as several nieces and nephews.

Services will be held on September 19th at 10:00 am at Hygiene United Methodist Church, 7542 Hygiene Rd. Longmont, CO 80503. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jerry's memory to Hygiene United Methodist Church. The family extends their thanks to the staff of Balfour Memory Care and Bloom Hospice for caring for Jerry over the last year.