Burna Frank Battles

Mary Helen,
I suspect you may remember me from Baylor Geology. I am retired and living in the Hill Country and Corpus Christi after a 32 year career as a geophysicist in the oil industry. I was remembering your brother Jon (one of my lab students) and your families hospitality with a group of students Jon helped me bring for a "coastal environments field trip"...and of course I remembered you and Burnie. I started Googling and ran across Burnie's obituary. I

Mary Helen,
I suspect you may remember me from Baylor Geology. I am retired and living in the Hill Country and Corpus Christi after a 32 year career as a geophysicist in the oil industry. I was remembering your brother Jon (one of my lab students) and your families hospitality with a group of students Jon helped me bring for a "coastal environments field trip"...and of course I remembered you and Burnie. I started Googling and ran across Burnie's obituary. I am so very sorry for your loss. Burnie was one of my coaches for PE...weight training and swimming as I recall. He was a very nice, patient and generous man. He will be missed. All my best to you and your family,
Pat Millegan

Dear Mrs. Battles, I remember you as a teacher (Geology) at MCC in the 70's. I remember Burnie at Baylor (PhysEd) in the 80's. I remember him running from Hewitt to Baylor, teaching, then running back home. The true measure of an athelete is not strength or quickness, but endurance - and Burnie sure had that. More importantly - the true measure of a man is his ability to see the needs of others, to care, and offer uplifting encouragement.

Dear Mrs. Battles, I remember you as a teacher (Geology) at MCC in the 70's. I remember Burnie at Baylor (PhysEd) in the 80's. I remember him running from Hewitt to Baylor, teaching, then running back home. The true measure of an athelete is not strength or quickness, but endurance - and Burnie sure had that. More importantly - the true measure of a man is his ability to see the needs of others, to care, and offer uplifting encouragement. It has been said that the extent of a man's greatness can be measured by how he is missed when gone. That said - Burnie is a great man! May your many cherished memories fuel the warm inner glow of a life well lived. Peace be with the family. RC

I know that you do not remember me, but I was lucky enough to have the both of you as instructors in the early 80s at MCC for a mini mester that took us to Big Bend, Enchanted Rock, and the Caverns of Sonora. Unfortunately, your station wagon broke down with a bad alternator on the way, but you both made the best of it. I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. I also just read about it in

I know that you do not remember me, but I was lucky enough to have the both of you as instructors in the early 80s at MCC for a mini mester that took us to Big Bend, Enchanted Rock, and the Caverns of Sonora. Unfortunately, your station wagon broke down with a bad alternator on the way, but you both made the best of it. I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. I also just read about it in Baylor Magazine. I just wanted to say Thank you to you both, and I'm sorry to hear about your wonderful husband.

I recently received my copy of Baylor Magazine and as I was perusing the articles, I quickly scanned the article “Bear down you Bears” about the yell leaders writing the fight song. I was looking for Burnie Battle’s name, because, as I recall, he was a yell leader. I didn’t see him mentioned in that article so I continued reading. Imagine my shock and sadness when I reached the class notes section and saw his name.

In 1972, when I was

I recently received my copy of Baylor Magazine and as I was perusing the articles, I quickly scanned the article “Bear down you Bears” about the yell leaders writing the fight song. I was looking for Burnie Battle’s name, because, as I recall, he was a yell leader. I didn’t see him mentioned in that article so I continued reading. Imagine my shock and sadness when I reached the class notes section and saw his name.

In 1972, when I was in junior high school, Baylor Camp, in China Springs, sponsored its first TRIP camp and this was my first exposure to Baylor University. Burnie Battles was the camp leader and we traveled on a McClennan County School Bus to Carlsbad Caverns and many other interesting stops in Texas, sleeping on the ground in sleeping bags (no tents) each night. He was always such a fun loving guy and made everyone feel loved and important, even a gangly, red headed, freckle-faced twelve year old girl like myself. If I'm not mistaked, he and Mary were married soon afterward.

I can still remember some of the camp songs and skits that he introduced us to during those fun times. I continued to attend Baylor Camp as a camper throughout my high school years and served as a Counselor in Training the summer of my senior year. I am thoroughly convinced that my attendance at these camps and good leaders like Burnie are what influenced my decision to attend Baylor University in the fall of 1978.

Burnie had such a positive impact on my life. My thoughts and prayers go out to Mary and all of his family. He will be greatly missed.

Donna Clark Taylor
Class of 1982

Dear Mary Helen, David and I have thought of you all so often but time just got away from us and we lost touch with you all. We just learned of your loss at the football game Sat. Have tried to call a few times the last few numbers we had. We still look at the pictures of you all at our wedding, have never forgotten how sweet you were during our days at BU and WHBC. So glad you

Dear Mary Helen, David and I have thought of you all so often but time just got away from us and we lost touch with you all. We just learned of your loss at the football game Sat. Have tried to call a few times the last few numbers we had. We still look at the pictures of you all at our wedding, have never forgotten how sweet you were during our days at BU and WHBC. So glad you have been blessed with those precious children and grandchildren. I know you are holding each other up. David and I are just two of the many, many young persons that Burnie blessed with his sweet smile and encouraging spirit.

I just found out about Burnie's passing. Burnie was my counselor at Baylor Camp the first year that it opened (1964?) He was in his peak form as a gymnast in those days and we kids used to enjoy hanging from his huge biceps, one kid on each arm! Somebody somewhere must have pictures of that. When I got real homesick with a week to go in the session, Burnie told me our cabin members could form a secret club

I just found out about Burnie's passing. Burnie was my counselor at Baylor Camp the first year that it opened (1964?) He was in his peak form as a gymnast in those days and we kids used to enjoy hanging from his huge biceps, one kid on each arm! Somebody somewhere must have pictures of that. When I got real homesick with a week to go in the session, Burnie told me our cabin members could form a secret club if I would not go home. Our group held meetings during the nap hour every day that last week. He would go out of his way like that for a kid who needed help. His brother Freddie was my counselor two years later. Freddie, if you read this, know that I haven't forgotten you guys. Baylor Camp was one of the outstanding experiences of my childhood, and good memories from those days pop into my mind, even in the middle of a busy day, for no apparent reason - just because they're still with me. Thank you so much for all that you did for me.

Mary Helen and Jay: You have both been in my prayers this summer, everyday. I was able to spend a few minutes with Burnie outside our school on graduation night as he waited to share something magic with our 5th graders. He talked of the last Grand Canyon trip and the next one. He was so proud of you, Jay, and so in love with you, Mary Helen. Hugs for both of you...js

Frank, I'm sure you recognized that I had the greatest of respect for you. You were more than a brother-in-law, you were my brother in Christ. Your visits always brought a blessing to our home, and when you and Mary and the Children would leave for your home there was always a period of depression that came over Elaine's and my life. You will be missed beyond what words can describe, but by the grace of God we shall meet again.

What a kind,fun,generous person and a joy to be around. Bernie, the locker room will never be the same without you! Mike Frisch

God bless all of you as you suffer the loss of such a warm, loving father and husband. Burnie touched so many lives and will be sorely missed. All of the Whitakers send their love, Gayla and Bob, Ginny, Gracie and Jean