Louis C Burney

He is survived by his daughter, Shellie Szeezil (Wally) of Terra Ceia; son, Triston Burney; stepchildren, Marilyn Alpern, John Cole (Christine), and Elizabeth Allen (Jay); sister, Paulette Smesta (Steve) of Lakeland; a number of nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Lou was preceded in death by his daughter, Sharyn Taylor of Bradenton, and his loving wife of 37 years, Gail Patricia Burney.

Lou was born in Deland, Florida on December 17, 1938, and spent his early years in Deland, Palatka, Bunnell and St. Augustine. In January 1957 he joined the Air Force and served four years active duty as a radar technician, with two years of duty in Japan. After his honorable discharge in 1961, Lou worked as a corrections officer at Raiford State Prison, and later as an assembly technician for Sperry Rand Corporation in Gainesville. In 1963, Lou moved to St. Petersburg where he worked as an outboard engine repairman for Kenlan Marine, and then as stock clerk for SS Kresge Company (Kmart) while attending St. Petersburg Junior College.

In 1964, Lou earned his Associate in Arts Degree from St. Petersburg Junior College with a study emphasis on Natural Sciences, and in 1965 transferred his studies to Florida State University. He graduated from FSU in 1969, with both Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Geography, with major emphasis on land-use planning and natural resource management.

Lou began his public service with the Florida Trustees of the Internal Improvement Fund (State Lands Agency), and afterwards served 31-years with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and its predecessor agencies, retiring in 2001.

During these years, Lou was instrumental in implementing several major programs designed to improve Florida's natural resource management capabilities. Among these were the Florida Coastal Management Program, the Surface Water Improvement and Management Program; the State Water Policy Rule; and the 1995 Florida Water Plan. Lou received a variety of awards for his contributions to Florida's environmental protection efforts, including the Department of Environmental Protection's highest recognition, the DEP Sustained Exemplary Service Award.

An Inurnment with Military Honors will take place Monday, November 17, 2025 at 10am at Tallahassee National Cemetery. A Celebration of Lou's Life will be held at 11:30am at Culley's MeadowWood Funeral Home, 700 Timberlane Road. Wear “Blue for Lou” if you’d like.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to:

Big Bend Hospice Foundation, 1723 Mahan Center Blvd,Tallahassee, FL 32308. Online: https://bigbendhospice.charityproud.org/Donate

Hospice was angels on earth and brought Louis and family, great peace and comfort by taking care of EVERYTHING the last month of his life.

Suncoast Aqua Ventures, 331 Shore Dr, Ellenton, Fl 34222 Online: https://suncoastaquaventures.com/

This group of volunteers is dedicated to keeping Florida’s waterways, clean from trash and debris to preserve the Florida coast lines. They hold massive community cleanups within the Tampa Bay Area. Lou’s life work was helping preserving the environment for wildlife and generations to come.