Jerry Burwell left us on May 30, 2025. He was born in Springfield, Missouri, on March 27, 1938, to Louis R. Burwelland Mildred (Donaldson) Burwell. He attended school in Strafford, Missouri, from first to sixth grade. The family moved to Springfield in the early 1950s, and he attended Oak Grove, Pipkin, and Central High, where he graduated in 1956. He attended Drury College and graduated in 1960, where he was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity. Jerry served in the Missouri National Guard for eight years and worked for seven summers at the Springfield Union Stockyards while attending school. He later served on the Board of Directors for the Stockyards for 20 years then became the president when the board decided to sell it.

After college, Jerry started his career at The Citizens Bank on Commercial Street and worked there for 15 years, including time with Commerce Bank. He moved to Empire Bank in 1975 as Executive Vice President. In 1980, hebecame a partner at Queen City Beer until the beer company was sold in 1985. In August of 1985, Jerry and his wife Beverly opened Burr's Restaurant, which was a wonderful neighborhood restaurant and bar. They ran Burr's until 2003 when it sold. Jerry was always so proud of the incredible help he had at the restaurant. After selling Burr's, he worked parttime for Central Bank for over 17 years, checking inventories of car dealers. He was a member of the Boys Club Board of Directors for 15 years, serving as treasurer for 10 years and president for two years.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Ginny Johnston. He is survived by his wonderful wife of 50 years, Beverly Burwell; son Bradley Burwell (Amy), Springfield, Missouri; daughter Ellen Wood (Carey), Overland Park, Kansas; stepdaughter Debbie Letterman, Springfield, Missouri; granddaughters Lauren Burwell Uhl (Joe) and Emily Burwell Weiss (Andrew); grandsons Andrew Wood and Nick Wood; and great grandchildren Peter Weiss and Betty Uhl. He is also survived by his niece, Jamie Lairmore Moss, nephews Louis Lairmore and Mickey Lairmore, and their families. Jerry loved all of his family very much.

Jerry had many hobbies and interests throughout his life. He had a love for horse racing, and he and his partners owned racehorses for 17 years. He loved fast pitch softball, which he played and managed for 42 years, and he is a member of the Springfield Softball Hall of Fame. He looked forward each year to participating in the Sherm Lollar Fantasy Football League, as well as several other leagues he competed in with his son, Brad.

A visitation will be held on Friday, June 6, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home with a graveside service at Hazelwood Cemetery to follow at noon. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Boys & Girls Club of Springfield, Missouri.