Harold Henry Burney

Born into hardship, he lost his own father at the age of two. Life did not begin gently for him, yet he grew into a man marked by quiet endurance and steadfast commitment.

He was a humble man of quiet strength, and his life reflected uncommon perseverance. He showed up. He worked. He stayed when things were hard. And he loved.

He retired as a highly respected supervisor and lineman for AEP, formerly West Texas Utilities, after years of faithfully climbing poles, restoring power, and leading by example. His work was demanding and often dangerous, yet he carried it with the same steady commitment that defined the rest of his life. Among his team, he was affectionately known as “Zorro.”

He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Mary Ellen McGinley-Burney, who passed in 2021 after a lengthy illness. Through every season of life, he remained devoted to her. Loyalty was not something he spoke about—it was something he lived.

After many years of distance, we came to know him not only as “Dad,” but as a man shaped by loss, responsibility, and resilience. There was grace in that time, and for it we are deeply grateful.

He is survived by his brother, Julian Ray Burney and wife Sheryle Ann Burney of San Angelo; his sister, Gloria Hight of San Angelo; and his brother, Tommy Burney of London, Texas.

He is also survived by his three daughters: Elaina Ball of Austin, Texas; Anita Dunlap of Orlando, Florida; and Alisha Gregg of Lubbock, Texas; grandchildren Lauren & Graham Ball and Candace Barnes, as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews who were part of his extended family.

We would be remiss not to mention his faithful dog, Jerricho, who was his ever-present and loving companion. We also extend our heartfelt gratitude to Vicki Allen, whose kindness and steady presence were a true blessing to him and to our family.

He will be laid to rest October 30, 2026, 11:00 a.m. at Glen Rest Cemetery, 2000 Memorial Blvd., in Kerrville, TX with his wife, Mary Ellen McGinley-Burney. A headstone will mark the place of two lives intertwined for more than half a century.

We take comfort in knowing he passed peacefully and that his long labor is finished.

“Well done, good and faithful servant.”