Stanley E. Burnham's Obituary
Stanley Edward Burnham, 84, of Leesburg, Virginia, passed away Saturday, July 24. Born September 2, 1925 in Fredericktown, Missouri, he was the son of the late Council Adair Burnham and Florence Mercer Burnham.
Stan is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Anne (Mapes) Burnham. He was a devoted father to his children Jennifer Kemp of Charleston, SC, James Burnham (wife Melody Thomson) of Winston-Salem, NC, Susan Takesian (husband Walter) of Needham, MA, Nancy Laranjo (husband Julio) of Leesburg, VA, John Burnham (fiancée Denise Brown) of Ashburn, VA, Sarah Speer (husband Charles) of Oakton, VA and the late Stanley Patrick Burnham. He was the adored grandfather of Jackson Speer, Rebecca and Geoffrey Burnham, and Anne and George Takesian and is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Stan was the youngest brother of Lola Chalfant, Norma Burnham, Rex Burnham, Leslie Burnham, Irene Ward and Calvin Burnham, all of whom predeceased him.
Stan served in the United States Army Air Corp and Air Force as an Aircraft Observer Navigator in the Pacific and in the Korean conflict, attaining the rank of First Lieutenant. While stationed in San Angelo, Texas, he met Anne Mapes, the love of his life.
Stan obtained his bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas and completed many post graduate business courses.
Stan enjoyed a long career with Cabot Corporation, working in various capacities including senior positions in Cabot’s Gas Pipeline and Production division in Charleston, WV and Amarillo, TX; as the plant manager of the Pampa, Texas carbon black plant; and as controller of the carbon black division worldwide at Cabot’s Boston headquarters. He and Anne moved to Charleston, SC after his retirement from Cabot in 1987.
Stan’s greatest joy was spending time with his family. He was an avid reader and enjoyed golf, tracking the financial markets, music and his wife’s cooking.
Memorial service and interment will be held privately.
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