October 2, 2022, 86, Goldsboro –
Chief Master Sergeant Arthur James Burrell, Jr., USAF, Ret., 86, passed away on Sunday, October 2, 2022, at Brookdale Country Day Road. Born in Erwin, Tennessee on January 24, 1936, he was the son of the late Arthur James Burrell, Sr. and Pauline Justice Burrell.
In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Maureen Frances LaRochelle Burrell; granddaughter, Sarah Burrell; brother, Frank Burrell; and sister, Carolyn B. Orton.
Jim is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law, Michael James and Debbie Burrell of Chesapeake, VA, James Patrick and Sandra Burrell of Wilson, and Daniel Paul and Lynn Burrell of Clayton; grandchildren, Christopher Burrell, Justin and Lindsey Burrell, Alexis Burrell, Jared and Caroline Burrell, and Jenna B. and Devon Witek; great-grandchildren, Ashton Burrell and Blake Burrell; brother, Fred Burrell; and several nieces and nephews.
Jim graduated from Unicoi County High School in Erwin, Tennessee in June of 1954. He entered in the United States Air Force in August of 1954 and attended Basic Military Training at Lackland AFB, Texas. Upon graduation from basic training, he attended the Fire Control Systems Technician Technical Training School at Lowry AFB, Colorado. He completed this training in October 1955 and remained at Lowry AFB as an electronics instructor until June of 1956, when he transferred to Westover AFB, Massachusetts where he served as a B-52 Fire Control Systems Technician. In 1961, Jim attended B-52 Aerial Gunner Training at Castle AFB, California. He was then assigned as a B-52 Tail Gunner at Carswell AFB, Texas. In July 1967, Jim transferred to Grand Forks, AFB, North Dakota, and to Barksdale AFB, Louisiana in 1970. He was reassigned to Castle AFB, California in 1973, and served as a B-52 Gunnery Instructor and as the Chief of Standardization. He moved again in 1977, to Seymour Johnson, AFB, North Carolina, where he performed duties as a T-1 Gunnery Trainer/Manager until his reassignment to Bolling AFB, Washington, D.C. in 1982. At Bolling, he served as the Chief Operating Location AA, 1700 Transportation Squadron from where he retired following 30 years and 1 month of faithful and honorable service.
Jim earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Work Center Management from the Community College of the Air Force in 1980. He was a graduate of the NCO Leadership School, Westover AFB, Massachusetts, the SAC NCO Academy at Barksdale AFB, Louisiana, and the Senior NCO Academy of Gunter AFB, Alabama.
Jim’s military awards and decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal with 8 oak leaf clusters, the Air Force Commendation Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters, the Combat Readiness Medal with 6 oak leaf clusters, and the Army and Air Force Good Conduct Ribbons.
Jim was a member of the 4th Fighter Wing Catholic Community of Saint Michael the Archangel at Seymour Johnson AFB, Goldsboro, and a former member of St. Mary Roman Catholic Church in Goldsboro.
A graveside funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 6, 2022, at Evergreen Memorial Cemetery. Full military honors will conclude the service. The family will receive friends from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 5, 2022, at Seymour Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Armed Forces Families Foundation, 1340 Hamlet Avenue, Clearwater, FL 33756.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Seymour Funeral Home and Cremation Service. Online condolences may be expressed at www.seymourfuneralhome.com.
