Burley Ray Polk age 88 was born to William Ferrell Polk and Nina Lorena Dean Polk on February 5th, 1936, at his grandmother's home in the small West Texas town of Wingate.  He left his earthly home on April 24, 2024.

He had a wonderful childhood filled with adventure that he shared with his uncle, Hollis Dean, who was only one year his senior. Tales of their adventures have been told over and over again by his family for years. Their pranks and mischievous activities were legendary.

Burley graduated from Stanton High School in 1955.  He was recruited by several universities but ultimately was awarded a football scholarship to attend Hardin Simmons University.  He was recruited by the famous Sammy Baugh who was retired from professional football where he was the star quarterback for the Washington Redskins for 16 years.  He was the head coach at HSU.  Who could refuse Sammy Baugh?

Burley married his high school sweetheart, Mary Beth Ory, on June 15, 1956. They were married for almost 68 years.  In his senior year in college, he was recruited by the Pittsburgh Steelers to play football, but military service required by College ROTC enrollment sent he and Mary to Fort Benning, Georgia for officers basic training. This was the beginning of a twenty-two-year military career with assignments to posts across the United States to include Alaska and two foreign assignments to South Vietnam.  Burley retired from the Army while finishing out his career as Provost Marshall at Fort Sam Houston.

After retirement Burley and Mary moved to Salida, Colorado where his favorite pastime was taking trail rides with his buddies.  He was the only one of the group who rode a mule.  Burley always said a mule was the safest transportation in the mountains because they were so surefooted.  He took a lot of ribbing about that but as it turns out he was right.  Another favorite pastime was snow skiing and fishing for salmon at Blue Mesa Reservoir.

Colorado was home for 17 years before moving back to Texas to be near Mary's aging mother.  In later years they have been blessed to be surrounded by their two children and their extended families.

Burley enjoyed visiting friends over coffee almost every morning at Short Shop. He liked driving around town and out to the river where he always looked for his "Jessy Pearl, a burro he had sold to a neighbor when the family moved into town.  Sure enough, most of the time he could spot her out in the pasture watching over a herd of goats.  His comment was always the same "Jessy Pearl is a good burro."

Burley is survived by Mary Polk, his wife of 68 years, son Mel Polk, daughter-in-law Lisa Polk, daughter Rae Beth Polk, daughter-in-law Debbie Owen, granddaughter Taylor Clee-Charlton, grandson-in-law John Clee-Charlton, great grandson Oliver Clee-Charlton, granddaughter Rachel Martin, grandson-in-law Kyle Martin, (great grandson, baby Martin), special friend and caregiver Irene Gutierrez, sister-in-law Yvonne Simpson, Hereford Tx, sister-in-law Virginia James, Brownwood Tx, and brother-in-law John Ory, Mason. Also surviving are numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and many, many friends.  He loved them all.

Burley was preceded in death by his parents Bill and Lorena Polk, sister Joann Cook, brother-in-law Wayne Cook, father-in-law Dwayne Ory, and mother-in-law Amelia Ory.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Burley's name to the Mason County Food Bank.

A memorial service will take place on Saturday, May 25th at 11am at the First United Methodist Church in Mason.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at masonfuneralhome.net