Charles M. Burgin

CHARLES McRAE BURGIN LTC. (RET.), U.S. ARMY Charles Burgin, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army, Retired, died Memorial Day, May 29, 2017 at the age of 82. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Joan Burgin; daughter Amanda Burgin; and sisters Judy Burgin Travis, Nancy Petty O’Reilly, Joyce Petty Matlock, and Johneda Petty Jenkins. He was born in Marion, North Carolina, attended Western Carolina College, University of Texas at El Paso, and graduated from the University of Southern Colorado in 1972 with a Bachelor of Science Degree. Colonel Burgin enlisted in the army in 1955 and received his commission as an officer in 1960 upon graduation from Officer Candidate School, Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Other service schools attended included the Hawk Officer Missile Maintenance Course, the Artillery Career Course, and the Command and General Staff College. He served in various command and staff assignments during 26 years of active duty. Overseas assignments were in France and Germany, two tours each in Korea and Vietnam, and temporary assignments in Iran and Libya. Stateside assignments included Fort Jackson, South Carolina; Fort Gordon, Georgia; Fort Knox, Kentucky; Fort Sill, Oklahoma; Fort Leavenworth, Kansas; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Dallas, Texas; and three tours at Fort Bliss, Texas. During his second tour to Korea, he served as the Air Defense advisor to the First Republic of Korea Army. At the end of the war in Vietnam, he was a member of the Four Party Joint Military Commission which implemented the cease-fire in 1973. He received the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Honor Medal, First Class. In Colorado Springs, while serving as an operations officer at Headquarters, U.S. Army Air Defense Command he performed duties at NORAD/CONAD in the Cheyenne Mountain Complex. His final military assignment was to Headquarters, Army and Air Force Exchange Service in Dallas as Deputy Director, Plans and Management Division. His other service awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star with two oak leaf clusters, the Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Joint Service Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, and the Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster. After retiring to El Paso, Texas in 1981, Colonel Burgin enjoyed his favorite “assignment”—15 years as the Senior Army Instructor, Junior ROTC at Bel Air High School. He was a member of the Military Order of the World Wars and the Texas Retired Teachers Association. The family is grateful to the many healthcare professionals who cared for Charles especially Dr. Enrique Porras, Dr. Oscar Muñoz, Dr. Mark Aung, and Dr. and Mrs. Shahinian and staff. Memorials may be made to the Rescue Mission of El Paso, the Humane Society of El Paso, El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank, or your favorite charity. Visitation: 6:00-8:00 PM with Memorial Service at 7:00 PM, Wednesday, June 07, 2017 at Sunset Funeral Home East. Graveside Service: 10:30 AM, Thursday, June 08, 2017 at Fort Bliss National Cemetery with Military Honors.