Burdett F. Pulliam

Burdett Ford Pulliam of Jasper passed away on Monday, June 1, 2020 at the age of 84. He was born on December 16th, 1935 to Burdett and Elsie Ford Pulliam, in San Augustine County, Texas. He was a 1953 graduate of Newton High School. Burdett attended Stephen F. Austin State College where he received his B.B.A. degree with an accounting major in August of 1956. Upon graduation, he began his career working at Arthur Andersen &Co. and later Fed Mart Corporation while concurrently serving as an Airman First Class in the Air Force Reserve. While working in Houston, Burdett met his future wife, Barbara Sue Jones, at a Wednesday night prayer meeting at Eastwood Baptist Church. They fell in love instantly, but he teased her that he wouldn’t marry her until she weighed at least 100 pounds. After eating many cheeseburgers and fries for almost 2 years, Barbara made it to 98 pounds. The two were then married on November 21, 1959.

In 1961, Burdett was granted his certificate as a Certified Public Accountant, and he and Barbara began growing their family. In 1966, he returned to East Texas with his family and started his private CPA practice in Jasper, Texas. In 1995 Burdett and his son, Ross W. Pulliam, C.P.A., formed Pulliam &Pulliam, P.C. Certified Public Accountants, where he was a shareholder and officer until his retirement.

In addition to running his business, Burdett was passionate about serving the Jasper community through involvement in the Jasper Lions Club, The Jasper Chamber of Commerce, his church, and various local boards. He served as Deacon and Treasurer at Tanglewood Baptist Church for many years. He also served in every officer position within the Lions Club during his tenure since 1966 and was awarded the 1999 Lion of the Year Award in recognition of his dedication and service.

In his free time, Burdett loved fishing, gardening, and was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed squirrel hunting and camping on Bear Creek with his father and son. Burdett was a self-taught guitar player and loved pickin’ and grinnin’ on his Gibson Les Paul guitar. His grandkids hold fond memories of him playing his favorite songs such as Old Rattler every evening when they would go over to stay the night.

Burdett’s legacy is carried on by his wife, Barbara Sue Pulliam; daughter, Cindy Pulliam Bozeman and her husband, David; son, Ross W. Pulliam and his wife, Ann; daughter, Valerie Pulliam Hicks and her husband, Jeff; 6 grandchildren: Brittany Bozeman Durbin and her husband, Cory, Danielle Bozeman, Allan &James Pulliam, and Rachel &Caleb Hicks; and 1 great-grandson, Conner Durbin. He is also survived by his sister, Lee Ann Enos, and 2 nephews, Walter Enos &wife Traci and Brandon Enos &wife Amy. He was preceded in death by his parents, Burdett &Elsie Ford Pulliam.

A visitation with family and friends will be held at Shultz Funeral Home &Crematory in Jasper, Texas from 5 - 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 3. A private graveside service will be held at Little Flock Cemetery in San Augustine County. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Burdett’s memory may make a memorial contribution to Little Flock Cemetery Association, 561 CR 4330 Bronson, TX 75930 or to Jasper Lions Inc. at P.O. Box 415 Jasper, TX 75951.