Thank you Dr Burr for all your support and guidance during my undergraduate years at UTD; you were a blessing for all the students, and your contagious enthusiasm and personality and impact you had on others will live on for many generations past your time. Thank you, my friend. 

I’m thinking about and missing John’s voice and presence as the holidays approach. We, the Burrs, love listening to Kings College Choir’s Festival of Lessons and Carols broadcast by the BBC on Christmas Eve. We attended it in person in 1965.  I’ll miss sharing that with John. 

Extraordinary man is John. Every time I met him at Mass he had a smile on his face. We very much enjoyed his fellowship at our men's group. What an inspiration !

John Burr was an extraordinary person. I feel grateful to have known him and learned from him, from the time I was a child. I wrote this poem for his passing: 

     At A Friend’s Passing

Through the doorway, the summer hour was bright,

When looking out, my young eyes overthrown,

As I waited, my feet outside the white

Wide arc in which the sun had grown,

A ripe orange in my hand, the long, warm day

Behind us and before us at it’s height,

I don’t remember what I tried to say,

Or even if my question came out right,

Only his voice, the long words strong and straight,

Holding up my hand, the fruit half in light,

Half in shade, hoping once to demonstrate,

How Earth turns round and gives us day and night.

From such a friend, could age turn me away,

Whose sight sustained me on that blinding day?

Dr. Burr, you  helped me transition from software engineering into medicine. You were one of the best professors I ever had, and it was a joy  being your teaching assistant.

 I will never forget the last conversation we had about biology, physics, and the Universe at the end of last 2024. It opened my eyes.

You will be deeply missed, sir.

Remarkable compassion combined with intelligence. So memorable for his kindness

Dear Sharon and Family,   I was sorry to hear about John's passing.  I know first hand how  rare and special it is to have shared one's life  journey  with someone - through good times and challenges - for many many years.  Despite our distance and infrequent contact I feel blessed to have been part of those early years and to have known you both.  Be blessed as you navigate this next stage of your journey. Love Always, Michele Gibbons-Carr

I mourn the passing of a scholar, gentleman, and friend. Although our friendship did not span decades, I felt a connection to John in our carpooling and shared enjoyment of our St Thomas More’s men’s group. I joined John’s table at our weekly Man-Up meetings and soon realized that I was among true faith filled men. John’s contributions to our discussions were insightful and powerful examples of his deep faith and understanding of the Bible and our Church doctrine. He was a true teacher and I will miss continuing to learn from his reflections. My car will automatically head to your house on Monday evenings, but sadly, I will drive off without your precious company. You are missed by me and so many.