Dr. Harold Doyle Burford passed away peacefully on Friday, December 16, at the age of 90 at Stoneybrook Senior Care Center in West Monroe, Louisiana. He was born on January 17, 1932, in Kingsland, Arkansas, to Agnes Holmes Burford and Doyle Ray Burford. Dr. Burford grew up in Memphis, Tennessee, and was a graduate of Memphis Tech High School. He then enlisted in the United States Navy and served for four years during the Korean War. Afterward, he attended Louisiana Polytechnic Institute (Louisiana Tech University) and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Geological Engineering. He was also a graduate of the University of Tennessee Dental School, earning his Doctor of Dental Surgery. Following graduation, he moved his family to Ruston where he had a successful dental practice.

Dr Burford enjoyed farming, and on his “days off”, he could be found at his cattle and chicken farm in Claiborne Parish. He loved sailing and experienced many adventurous trips throughout the Caribbean on his sailboat “The Greywood” named for his birthplace home in Arkansas. He was an avid reader and lifelong learner – a quiet man known for his intellect and good advice, and his grandchildren were known to say, “Papa was Google before there was Google!”

Dr. Burford was predeceased by his parents, his brother Dr. Richard S. Burford, and his former wife and dear friend, Frances Platt Burford. He is survived by his daughters Gail Cado and her husband Dan of Flowood, MS, Kathy Melican and her husband John of Encinitas, CA, son Hal Burford of New Orleans, LA, and daughter-in-law Pamela Burford of New Orleans, LA. Also left to cherish his memory are his six grandchildren: Sara Sullivan and her husband Ben Herring of Jackson, MS, Cole Sullivan and his wife Cecilia of Monroe, LA, Molly Melican of Seattle, WA, Jack Melican of New York, NY, Samuel and Sophia Burford of New Orleans, LA, and two great-grandsons: Joseph and Luke Sullivan of Monroe, LA, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

There are not enough words to express the family’s appreciation for the compassionate care and love given to him by his nurse, Sophronia Sims Pringle. The family would also like to thank the wonderful staff at Stoneybrook Senior Care Center, and both Ascend and Premier Hospice.

The family will have a private memorial service in Bernice, Louisiana

Online condolences may be extended to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com
Kilpatrick Funeral Home – Ruston

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