At LSU, Tiger Fred Burley once homered off Carl Hubbell.
In Memoriam
- Charles “Fred” Burley, 92, of Dallas, Texas, passed away February 26, 2012, after a long illness. He was a member of the DFW Hall-Ruggles chapter and a SABR member since 1992. Fred was the longtime head of the Ex-Pros Baseball Association and served as the treasurer of the local SABR chapter. Fred, in fact, quietly helped finance many local SABR chapter activities over the years. He retired from the United States Air Force as a Colonel after 26 years and continued a successful career in business after “retiring”; he was still working at HomeVestors at the time of his death. He was a graduate of Louisiana State University, where he lettered in three sports, and obtained an MBA from Ohio State University. He was a 32nd degree Mason, was inducted into the Texas Baseball Hall of Fame, was a big Ranger fan and baseball fan in general. Fred was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Marj, survived by three children and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Services were held March 1 at Restland Memorial Park and Funeral Home in Richardson, Texas. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to LSU Alumni Association Dallas Chapter, Marj & Fred Burley Scholarship Fund, 14902 Preston Road, Ste 404-124, Dallas 75254. … This Week in SABR: March 2, 2012.
Fred Burley would have been 93 later this month. His passing is yet another loss of someone who totally personified the values of those men and women we have come to recognize with the help of writers like Tom Brokaw in recent times as members of the World War II “Greater Generation.”
Fred was also a true blue baseball man whose World War II service in the US Army Air Corps may have cost him a long-term career in the professional sport, but it never quelled his love for the game. Col. Burley was a soft-spoken man with a riveting-dedication to the business of doing things right, no matter what he was doing. It’s small wonder that a national corporation like HomeVestors kept Fred Burley around as their Chief Financial Officer until they day he died. No one ever performed that kind of function better, or more honestly, than Fred Burley.
It was my good fortune to get to know Fred during the several years we worked together on the Board of the Texas Baseball Hall of Fame. I will always value the memory of his friendship, support, and advice – and his wonderful work in behalf of bringing so many of us together for those wonderful luncheons in Dallas. The themes were always the same, but they never grew tiresome. They were all about the love of the game and good fellowship in our shared experiences with baseball. We shall miss you, Fred. We shall always miss you.
Fred Burley was a slugging outfielder for the LSU Tigers when they won their first 1939 SEC baseball championship. Earlier that same year, Fred had a chance to bat against the great Carl Hubbell when LSU took on the New York Giants in a spring training game at Baton Rouge. Lo and behold, Burley caught the sweet spot on a pitch from the future Hall of Famer and took it deep over the fence for a long home run that no college kid is ever going to forget.
It’s how it was remembered by this particular kid that is the telling tale on his modest character.
When I first asked Fred Burley how he felt about that homer off Hubbell today, he answered me softly and simply: “It just goes to show you that even the great ones make mistakes every now and then.”
This much is no mistake, Col. Fred Burley. Where life is concerned, you will always be one of the great ones.
Rest in Peace, Fred. Those of us who were lucky enough to know you, miss you already. And we always will.
Tags: Col. Fred Burley
The Pecan Park Eagle 
March 4, 2012 at 12:53 am |
Great tribute – I am sure he would be honored by your kind words.
March 4, 2012 at 2:34 pm |
Well written, Bill……..To a TRUE TIGER……….
March 5, 2012 at 4:53 pm |
Fitting tribute to a fine man. Fred was always there to lend a helping hand in a quiet, behind the scenes way. His life was a grand-slam; great success on the diamond, in serving his country, in business, and with a wonderful family.
March 6, 2012 at 3:30 pm |
Ellen Brotman
Mr. Burley will certainly be missed. I had the pleasure of knowing Fred socially and in business.
Fred always had time to visit with a smile and caring personality.
An Icon to be remembered!
May 4, 2012 at 10:04 pm |
Fred was one of the finest men I have ever known. No only was he my uncle, he was my friend. I am so glad that he was a part of my life. He is probably organizing either a baseball team, and/or starting a new business venture in heaven right now!!