John Burrell died May 13, in Englewood, Colo., after a fight with cancer, according to the Denver Post.
He was the oldest of Delavan V. Burrell and Mabel June Burrell Smedema’s three sons, born March 28, 1943 in Rocky Ford, Colo. Burrell is survived by his wife, Ernestine; five daughters, Debbie Rodriguez, Becky Dockery, Jenny Burrell, Rachael Burrell and Anna Burrell Simpson; four grandchildren; two brothers, Dennis and Tom of Pueblo, Colo.; and several uncles and aunts.
Burrell joined the U.S. Navy in the 1960s, serving as a communications engineer in the submarine service. Upon his military discharge, he began a career as a broadcast engineer for TV and radio. He worked as an engineer, assistant and chief engineer for several television and radio stations in Colorado. He also founded and served as president of Burst Communications prior to its sale.
After retirement, Burrell assisted rural areas in Southeastern Colorado to improve emergency and rescue communication services. He also served as an active duty officer and volunteered his services for over 14 years for the Adams County Sheriff’s Department, and he also was a volunteer fire fighter for Stonewall, Colo.
Burrell was active in the amateur radio community, and enjoyed communicating via ham radio.
A memorial service will be held May 30 at 3 p.m. at the Ricketson Auditorium at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. The graveside service will be held June 1 at 11 a.m. at the Rocky Ford Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in his honor to M.D. Anderson Cancer Research Center in Houston, the Comprehensive Cancer Center at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Denver or Agape Healthcare.
