Gary Wayne Burroughs

Gary Wayne Burroughs, 78, of Dayton, Texas, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Monday, October 5, 2026 in his home. Gary had suffered for many years from dementia and then Advanced Alzheimer’s Disease, and was on full home hospice the last month of his life.

Gary was born in Baytown, Texas (Harris County) on February 20, 1948 to Charles Howard Roys Burroughs and Lillie A. Schultz Burroughs.

During his life, Gary loved to hunt; thus, his love of guns. He was a National Rifle Association Lifetime/Patron Member and a NRA Golden Eagle. He also loved his family, friends, Roy Rogers, singing, teaching, traveling, laughing (a lot), making others laugh, and mercilessly teasing those he loved. His favorite places were home, the Rocky Mountains and Costa Rica. Gary could be strong-willed at times, but was also a kind, loving and caring person. He will be deeply missed by all who loved him.

Gary graduated from Robert E. Lee High School, Baytown, Texas, in 1966, where he ran track before hurting his back, was in the band, All State Choir, Madrigals, and President of the Men’s Choir. Gary went on to receive his Bachelor’s in Music Science in 1991 from Texas Christian University with work toward his Master’s Degree. During his college years in Ft. Worth, Texas, Gary served as a Canine Police Officer with his canine named Mike. He taught Mike what it was like to be awarded for his dedication and hard work with donut holes and plenty of love during those years and, of course, Mike loved all of it. After college, Gary taught choir for five years at Spring High School, Spring, Texas. He also was the Founding President of Barbers Hill ISD PTO in Mt. Belvieu, Texas.

Gary had other illnesses besides Alzheimer’s, including Polio as a child and, thus, developed Post-Polio Syndrome as an adult, and used electric mobility to get around. Because of this, he had to take a medical retirement from Lyondell Petrochemicals where he worked after teaching. Gary then took classes and became a Chaplain doing work for his Lord Jesus the rest of his “healthy” days. He was the Chaplain for Texas Polio Survivors’ Association, where he was on the Board of Directors. He also loved visiting elderly shut-ins as a Chaplain with his two therapy dogs, Yorkshire Terriers Lucy and Oakley.

His fondest memories were watching the Roy Rogers Show, watching the Red Skelton Show, going fishing with his mother and father in a 12 ft. boat in Trinity Bay, sitting quietly at home with his wife Juanice, having fun traveling with Juanice, and listening to his grandchildren say, “I am a winner”!

Gary’s greatest inspirations in his life were his father, who taught him his work ethic; his mother with her stern hand and love; attending Amway functions where he was taught by many, including Gerald & Orvetta Grayson, to dream big and believe in himself; and his wife Juanice and family who taught him what unconditional love really meant no matter what he did. He stated many times that he had never experienced nor even seen the love that this family has for one another.

Gary was a member of First Baptist Church Dayton, Dayton, Texas, Liberty County, but most important to him was his personal relationship with his Lord Jesus Christ. Gary always said, “If you don’t know Him as your Lord & Savior, it’s gonna be HOT”!

Gary was preceded in death by his father, mother, mother-in-law Eva Juanita Faulk Wilkinson, and sister-in-law Nita Wilkinson. He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Alice Juanice Wilkinson Archer Burroughs; his brother-in-law Robert Theodore (Ted) Wilkinson of Plano, Texas; his daughter Barbara Joanne Archer-Burroughs Wallace and husband Charles Matthew of Dayton, Texas, daughter Deborah Dianne Archer-Burroughs Grothe and husband Jimmy Lee of Highlands, Texas; niece April Marie Maestas of Plano, Texas; grandchildren Ambyr Rene’ Wallace of Dayton, Texas, Jessyka Lea Little and husband Jacob Robert of Splendora, Texas, Alexus Deanne Wallace of Liberty, Texas, Chrystal Nikole Brush and husband Tyler Dwayne of Huffman, Texas, and Driston Wayne Baria and wife Ellen Shea of Huffman, Texas; great-grandchildren Jazmineann Marie Robinson, Syrenitee Vela-Rae Brush, Carter Ava Renae Stark, Madilynn Grace Little, Carly Michelle Loven, Camryn Tessa Jo Baria, Mackenzie Elise Little, and Carsyn Blakely Anne Baria. In addition, he is survived by longtime best friend Merle Epperson, and godson David Epperson, wife Lindsay, and children Kylie and Brianna. He is also survived by many other friends and relatives.

Gary’s funeral will be held at Earthman Funeral Home in Baytown, Texas on Tuesday, October 20, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. with visitation at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be at Sterling White Cemetery, Highlands, Texas at the Pavilion in back at 2:30 p.m. There will be no police procession.

For those who wish, in lieu of flowers, please donate to the Alzheimer’s association of your choice.