Obituary of Bob John Burditt

Our family is deeply saddened by the loss of our father, grandpa, and friend, Bob John Burditt of Silsbee, Texas. Bob, who was a husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and friend to many, passed away at Silsbee Oaks Care Center on November 15, 2018. For several years Bob faced life cheerfully in spite of his decline in years and reduced activity. His favorite motto gained from his oldest great-granddaughter was “You get what you get, don’t pitch a fit.” This he did. You would always find him cheerfully smiling and friendly whenever you saw him.

Bob, who was 95 years old on July 26, was born in 1923 to John Grant and Olive McVicker Burditt in the family home near Logan, Oklahoma. He was preceded in death by his wife Betty June Singhisen Burditt; father and mother, Grant and Olive Burditt; brother, Herbert Burditt; and sister, Edna Burditt Walter. Bob is survived by his daughter, Vickie Preuss and her husband Charles; his three grandchildren, Jennifer Preuss Pierce and husband Chris, Cheryl Preuss Stone and husband Chip, and Robert Keith Preuss and wife Holly; and also by his four great-grandchildren, Kadin and Avery Stone and Nicole and David Pierce; his three sisters, Palma Koschke of Perryton, Texas, Florence Brady of Chicago, Illinois, and Hattie Custer of Edmond, Oklahoma; and numerous other relatives and friends.

Bob was one of six children who grew up on his parents’ homestead farm in the Oklahoma Panhandle. He attended a small country elementary school and at the age of 15 graduated from Beaver High School in Beaver, Oklahoma. He later attended college at Wichita, Kansas, until he was called to serve his country as a Marine during World War II. He married Betty June Singhisen in the summer of 1946. They are the proud parents of one daughter.

Bob was self-employed as a farmer-rancher from an early age. He purchased property shortly after high school and began to develop it by growing wheat and cattle. He and his wife of 58 years, Betty, worked as a team growing and enjoying their farm for more than 26 years. Bob and Betty sold their farm in Oklahoma and bought another one in Sarcoxie, Missouri, where they lived for about 15 years raising shorthorn cattle. Bob always had a love for all little things that grow, be it baby calves, crops, gardens or children. In 1986 he sold his farm so he and Betty could move closer to their grandchildren in Silsbee, Texas, to become an integral part of their lives by attending birthdays, games, concerts, graduations, and weddings. He continued to be very proud of them as adults and interested in hearing about their accomplishments. This desire and practice continued on to his great-grandchildren whom he enjoyed being with making memories. Bob developed an avid love for fishing, and after Betty passed away in 2004 he spent much of his time camping and fishing at Lake Sam Rayburn where he made many new dear friends. He was a kind man who had a smile and a greeting for anyone he met and could entertain others for hours with jokes, fish stories and tales of his many adventures. He treasured his family and friends and enjoyed spending time with them at many outdoor barbecues and fish fries from his own catch.

Not only did Bob love his family and friends dearly, but he had a great love for his Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Bob gave his heart to Jesus in Mountain View Baptist Church as an adult near the age of 40. He and Betty worshipped and served there faithfully until moving to Sarcoxie. There he and Betty joined FBC Sarcoxie where he was ordained as a deacon. Upon moving to Good Shepherd Baptist Church in Silsbee, he continued to serve as a deacon and Sunday School teacher for many more years.

Family and friends will have an opportunity to celebrate Bob’s life at a service honoring him on Monday, November 19, at 10:00 a.m. in the Worship Center of Good Shepherd Baptist Church, 3700 FM 92 in Silsbee.

Visitation will be held Sunday, November 18, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Farmer Funeral Home, located at 415 N. Fourth Street in Silsbee, Texas.

Another service will be held Wednesday, November 21, at First Baptist Church of Darrouzett, located at 110 E. Santa Fe Ave. in Darrouzett, Texas.

Visit www.farmerfhsilsbee.com to offer memories and condolences.

Arrangements are under the direction of Farmer Funeral Home, located at 415 North Fourth Street in Silsbee.