Alonzo “Lonnie” Anderson Burris, Jr., 83, of Charleston, husband of Elizabeth Young Burris, passed away during the early morning hours of Wednesday, January 12, 2011. Born in Charleston, SC, on September 28, 1927, Lonnie was the second child of the late Alonzo A. Burris, Sr., and Eva Viard Burris. After graduating from Porter Military Academy in 1944, he volunteered for the V-5 Program as a Naval Aviation Cadet. When the program was closed at the end of the war, Lonnie entered The Military College of South Carolina at The Citadel as a veteran student. In 1950, after finishing The Citadel and marrying his wife, Betty, he began service in the United States Army with the 28th Infantry Division. Lonnie and Betty were stationed in Germany, where their first child was born, and in 1953 he was honorably discharged as a 1st Lieutenant and returned to Charleston. Lonnie began his business career working for The Beach Company under the tutelage of family friend, J. C. Long. After a few years, learning from Mr. Long, Lonnie was called to the family business, Burris Chemical, Inc. After Mr. Burris Sr. passed away in 1962, Lonnie took the helm of the family business where he remained until his retirement in 1993. During his business career, Lonnie served on the boards of several organizations among which were Chemical Manufacturers Association; National Chemical Distributors Association; South Carolina National Bank (Advisory Board); District Board of Sertoma International; and Patriot’s Point Foundation. He was also a former member of the Country Club of Charleston where he enjoyed many rounds of golf as well as serving on its Board; Carolina Yacht Club; Capital City Club of Atlanta; Charlotte City Club; Musgrove Mill Country Club; and an honorary life member of the Hibernian Society where he served as President in the early 1970’s. In addition to his wife, Lonnie is survived by three sons, Alonzo A. Burris, III, and his wife Anne; Michael Bruce Burris; Steven Young Burris and his wife Ann, all of Charleston; one daughter, Lynn Burris Brooke and her husband Rob of Richmond, VA.; his sister, Betty B. Cross and her husband, Stanley of Charleston; 11 grandchildren, T. Scott Burris and his wife Harriet of Beverly Hills, CA, William A. Burris, Caroline C. Burris, Beverly Y. Burris, Steven Y. Burris, Jr., Lawton Cole Burris, Austin S. M. Burris, all of Charleston; Elizabeth Huntley Brooke, Caroline Young Brooke, Anne Ralston Brooke, all of Richmond, VA; and Ensign Michael B. Burris of Pensacola, FL. He will also be missed by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. He was predeceased by a grandson, Benjamin Wyatt Burris. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 15, 2011, at Summerall Chapel on the campus of The Citadel and family will receive friends immediately following the ceremony at Mark Clark Hall. Friends and family are invited to celebrate the life of Lonnie Burris at a reception at the Hibernian Society Hall, from 5 to 7 p.m., on Friday, January 14, 2011. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Benjamin Wyatt Burris Foundation, P.O. Box 20100, Charleston SC 29422. His Guest Book may be signed at www.jamesamcalister.com Arrangements by JAMESA.MCALISTER, INC. 1620 SAVANNAH HWY. 766-1365. Visit our guestbook at www.postandcourier.com/ deaths. Tags: 1950
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