Timothy James Burdon

Timothy James Burdon, 82, of Oakland Twp., passed away December 8, 2017. Loving husband of Patty; devoted father of Rick (Peggy) Burdon, Lisa (Bruce) Henricksen; step-father of Peter (Thaysa) Ehrnstrom, Julie (Peter) Kozma, Kristen (Mark) Freund, Greg (Colleen) Ehrnstrom; caring grandfather of Whitney, Clayton, Grant, Matt (Whitney), and Brett(Ryanne); step-grandfather of Jessa, Sarah, Erika, Ryan, Matthew, Kate, Dylan, Gabriela, and Lara; and great grandfather of Clayton.

Tim was born in Gagetown, MI, November 11, 1935 to Richard and Edna (Bauer) Burdon. He was president of the Cass City High School class of 1953. He was a star athlete playing on his high school championship football and basketball teams achieving All State in both sports. He went on to play both football and basketball at Central Michigan University, where he earned a B.S. in Chemistry. He later earned an M.B.A. in marketing from Loyola-Chicago. Tim had a lifetime career with Dow Chemical, interrupted by a 2-year stint as an officer in the Army Corps of Engineers. He retired as Director of Distributor Sales for Chemicals and Performance Products after 35 years with Dow. After retirement, he was elected to the Board of Directors for Haviland Corp, Grand Rapids, MI, keeping him involved in the chemical industry. Tim also remained very active in sports throughout his life. He was the Athletic Director for Bullock Creek High School, a referee for high school sports for over 30 years, and was proud of being elected to the Michigan Sports Sages.

Tim was a devoted husband. He enjoyed 40 years of marriage to his first wife, Barbara Mae Tubbs, who sadly predeceased him in 1997. He met his second wife, Patricia Ehrnstrom, in 1999 and they enjoyed 18 years together, until his abrupt passing from respiratory failure. Tim was a loving and involved father and grandfather. He took great joy in cheering on his many grandchildren in their endeavors.

Tim was a lifelong learner and avid reader, consuming two newspapers daily. He loved time spent with friends and family, golf and travel. In recent years, Tim and Patty spent their winters in Florida where he enjoyed golfing friendships (and occasionally the game) at Heron Creek Golf and Country Club. He especially cherished his many summers on Torch Lake where, even as a non-swimmer, he happily captained his boat for a peaceful cruise or a wild tubing ride for his many grandchildren. He will be sadly missed, but he leaves us all with wonderful memories.

Tim’s family will welcome all to a memorial gathering, Dec. 29, 2017, 9:30-10:30 a.m. Mass following at 10:30 a.m. at St. Irenaeus Catholic Church, 771 Old Perch Rd, Rochester Hills, MI.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Tim’s honor to the Barbara M. Burdon Memorial Educational Endowment Fund, in care of the Midland Area Community Foundation, 76 Ashman Circle, Midland, MI, 48640 or the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 230 East Ohio St, Suite 500, Chicago, IL 60611.