Parker Fount Burleson

“Aww bro I miss you so much. This still doesn’t feel real. Aww you were such a fighter kid I am so honored that I get to call you my brother. I know we didn’t always get along but you were mine and I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you from this. You would hate me saying this but I’m gonna be a nurse for you. I am going to do this for you dude. You are a little light in my heart always and I will work as hard as I can to honor you with my life. I know you wanted to spread the gospel and I will do my best to share your story. Aww bro what am I gonna do without you. You impacted thousands of peoples lives and I got to know you like few people did. You were my blood my brother. I will miss worrying about you and praying for you but I will never stop thinking about you. You would want me to honor God with my life and that’s what I’m gonna do. I have to. I need to see you again. I thought about this a lot. I am so happy that you will never have to suffer again and that you have a new body now and you can be with Jesus. I miss you and I will always miss you. When I graduate, I will have a picture of you in my pocket. When I get married, we will have a seat for you. When I have kids, I will tell them all about their uncle Parker and all of his amazing memories. Mom and dad are gonna be ok. They are both taking this hard but you were there baby. I know you would hate us all crying over you and you would be trying to make us laugh right now. You would say something so funny and witty it would be great. They are going to let you graduate dude! That’s gonna be so amazing. All your brothers came down to see you and boy are they going to miss you. We are all going to miss you. I don’t have the words to describe the impact you have had on my life. Man we had such amazing times. I know you are with Jesus now and watching over all of us. My little angel, you have been such a gift to this world. Your memory will live on. I’m so so endlessly happy for you and proud of you.

2 Corinthians 4-5, Revelation 21:1-4, Psalms 23:1-6”

--Parker’s Tribute, lovingly authored by his older sister, Brook Burleson, on Thursday, March 7, 2024

Surrounded by friends and family at a little before 1:00 PM on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, Parker Fount Burleson went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Parker was born on May 30, 2006 to parents, Jeffrey and Michelle (McCombs) Burleson, and older sister, Brook, and lived a very full life in the just under eighteen years that God allotted him.

Parker was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Donald McCombs and James Burleson. He is survived by his parents, Jeffrey and Michelle (McCombs) Burleson; sister, Brook Burleson; Grandmothers, Barb (Donald) McCombs and Janyce (James) Burleson; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Parker was born with a connective tissue disorder known as Loeys-Dietz Syndrome which presents with high risk of life threatening aortic aneurysms and other serious health issues. Despite this incredibly heavy burden, Parker carried it courageously with the light yoke offered by Jesus. To help with that, God graciously placed in our lives some of the most caring, dedicated, and gifted doctors, surgeons, and care professionals for whom one could ever hope. We are forever grateful for the loving care they provided to our family.

God gifted Parker with a pure heart. Had you met Parker in the calm between the many, many medical procedures and several major surgeries, with his joyful and kind disposition, his winsome smile, and his witty sense of humor, you would never have realized all that he suffered. And, Parker very rarely complained--unless he thought he should be leaving the hospital sooner than his doctors or when one of his online gaming partners did something wrong.

Parker attended Faith Church in Fort Collins and was very active in Family Class and the high school youth program, Encounter. He also served as a volunteer leader in Faith Church’s Frenzy program to help mentor and disciple middle school students. As he grew older, Parker’s faith grew very strong, and he daily spent time doing devotions and studying God’s word before school. Among his favorite Bible verses were Isaiah 40:31, 1 Corinthians 15:57, and Romans 1:16. He loved to help others and to serve wherever he could.

Parker was an excellent student at Rocky Mountain High School. Parker was accepted at both Colorado State University and the University of Wyoming but had decided instead to attend the University of Northern Colorado in the fall where he had been awarded a significant academic scholarship.

Parker was also fond of the outdoors and especially camping, and he loved eating s’mores and snow cones with family and friends. He was an accomplished gamer and ping pong player, and he greatly enjoyed playing Uno and blackjack and watching and sharing crazy internet videos. He also enjoyed attending Rocky Mountain High School sporting events to watch his friends and attending CSU football games and Colorado Eagles and Avs hockey games. Parker’s favorite activities list also included riding golf carts, four-wheelers, and side-by-sides with aunts, uncles, and cousins, watching movies with family or friends, vacationing with family, and simply spending time with Mom, Dad, or big sister, Brook.

More than anything, though, Parker loved people. Whether hanging with his church crew from Encounter, sharing time with classmates and teachers at Rocky, attending outings with cousins and family members, gaming online with friends, reuniting with close friends at the Loeys-Dietz Syndrome Foundation/Marfans Conferences, or staying after his last class to help tutor in the classroom of one of his favorite teachers, Parker was always at his happiest when he could share time with and help others.

Parker was dearly loved and is greatly missed. We praise God mightily for the precious time He gave us with Parker. And, we thank God for the wonderful ministry of love that he gave Parker to share with the world while he was here on earth. We rejoice with glad hearts that Parker is now home with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and suffers no more.

Parker’s Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 AM MST on Saturday, April 20, 2024 in the sanctuary of Faith Church (3920 S. Shields St., Fort Collins, CO). A reception in the foyer with light snacks will follow.

If you wish to honor Parker’s memory with a gift, please consider doing so with a donation to one of the following charitable organizations, all of which played significant roles in his life:

1. Camp Elim (Wonderful Christian youth camp outside of Woodland Park, and Parker’s absolute favorite summer retreat to enjoy camp activities with friends and learn more about Jesus) https://www.campelim.com/

2. The Loeys-Dietz Syndrome Foundation https://www.loeysdietz.org/

3. Children’s Hospital Colorado Foundation https://www.childrenscolorado.org/

4. Make-A-Wish Colorado

https://wish.org/colorado