Colonel John E. “Jake” Burrows, husband of the late Bess Smith Burrows, died Wednesday, December 9, 2015. He was born in Saginaw, Michigan, November 21, 1918, to Katharine W. Burrows and Frank V. Burrows. Jake graduated from Muskegon High School in Muskegon, MI, in 1936. He graduated as First Honor Graduate and Cadet Regimental Commander from The Citadel in 1940, where he won eight varsity letters in football, basketball, and track. Jake was elected to The Citadel Athletic Hall of Fame in 1980. He was the only cadet in Citadel history who was First Honor Graduate, Cadet Regimental Commander, and a member of the Athletic Hall of Fame. Jake married Bess Sanders Smith, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Eugene Yates Smith of Charleston, on May 2, 1942. After retirement from the Army, he accepted in 1968 a position on The Citadel staff where he remained for eleven years in positions in the Commandant’s Department, the Athletic Department, and as Director of Cadet Activities. While Director of Cadet Activities, he designed and procured the non-cadet ring, the Silver Shako, and the Liberty Bell, a gift to the College from the Class of 1976. Following retirement from The Citadel, he was associated with Read and Read of Charleston for fifteen years. He was a member a member of St. Philip’s Church, where he served on the vestry; the Rotary Club of Charleston; the Agricultural Society of South Carolina; the Carolina Yacht Club; the Historic Charleston Foundation; the Preservation Society; the South Carolina Historic Society; the Charleston Museum; the Gibbes Art Gallery; and the Citadel Brigadier Club. He was predeceased by his wife, the former Bess Smith, and his three siblings, Frank Burrows, Ann McNamee, and Hugh Burrows. He is survived by his three children: Elizabeth B. Thompson (Clark) of Mount Pleasant; John E. Burrows, Jr. (Cindy) of Wayne, PA: and Katharine B. May (Stephen) of La Quinta, CA; seven grandchildren, Scott S. Thompson (Heather), John C. Thompson (Lindsey); John E. Burrows III (Lisa); Brooks B. White (Brad); Christian V. Burrows; Christopher S. May (Kelly); Katharine E. May; and nine great-grandchildren. The family would like to express its gratitude to our father’s caregiver, Sandra Davis, the supportive staff at Bishop Gadsden, and the Hospice of Charleston. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, December 12, 2015 at the Bishop Gadsden Chapel, James Island. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the John E. “Jake” Burrows Scholarship Fund at The Citadel, 171 Moultrie St., Charleston, SC 29409.
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Posted on: 2015-12-10
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