Ray Glendell Burnham, 89, of Springhill, Louisiana passed away on Monday, September 30, 2024, in Shreveport, Louisiana, following a brief illness.

Ray was born February 10, 1935, to Drew Ferguson Burnham and Effie Odessa Callender Burnham in Haynesville, Louisiana. He met his future wife, Betty, on their first day of 7th grade and then went on to graduate from Haynesville High School in 1953. He earned his Bachelor of Music Education from Northwestern State College in 1957, and Master of Music Education from Northwestern State University in 1966. He spent several summers and one year with his family in Auburn, Alabama, where he studied and worked to obtain his Doctor of Education from Auburn University in 1978.

Ray began his career in education in 1957 as the Band Director in Cotton Valley. Beginning in 1960 he served the next eight years as Band Director at Springhill High School before serving as Principal at Springhill Junior High School for three years. He became Principal at Springhill High School in 1972 where he worked for 13 years. He began his work as Secondary Supervisor in the Central Office in 1986 and retired eight years later in 1994 after 37 years helping educate and shape the lives of many students in Webster Parish.

Ray was a member and past president of Phi Mu Alpha, honorary music fraternity, a member of Kappa Delta Pi, honorary education fraternity, member of Phi Delta Kappa, and the NSU N Club.  He was also a member of the NSC Demonaires, band, orchestra, chorus and college singers while a student at NSC.  He was a Graduate Assistant for the Demon band in 1966 and a Truman M. Pierce Fellow at Auburn University in 1978. He held memberships in the Louisiana Music Educators Association, Louisiana Teachers Association, and National Association of Secondary School Principals, and served as past president of the Webster Parish Principal’s Association.  

Once Ray decided to instantly kick his habit of smoking, Ray became an enthusiast of improving his health.  In doing so, he became an avid runner at age 50, and completed scores of 5K and 10K runs as well as three 26.2-mile marathons. He also qualified and participated in the 400-meter run in the National Senior Olympics in 1993.  According to his log books, he ran or walked over 39,000 miles.  

Ray’s biggest legacy and most admired accomplishment was providing for his family. He worked many different jobs during the summers to supplement his income to insure their fun-filled life of traveling and extraordinary Christmases. Energetic hours were spent planning family vacations all across the country, mostly tent camping at some risky locations, including a close encounter with a bear. One of his proud moments was when his entire family of six attended Springhill High School, with a senior, junior, sophomore, and freshman, with Betty as a chemistry/physics teacher, and Ray as Principal.

After retirement, Ray and Betty spent many years traveling the world and were fortunate to visit over 40 countries including several trips to Europe, Africa, Russia, China, and South America.  They also visited all 50 of the United States.

Ray was a faithful and beloved member of Central Baptist Church in Springhill for 64 years where he served as interim music director, Sunday School teacher, and as a former deacon.  He particularly enjoyed helping around the church using his carpentry, painting and repair skills. His favorite activity was visiting with the church staff and bantering with the pastor. The family wishes to express their sincere thanks to the entire church, pastor and staff for your gracious and loving care of him.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved wife of 62 years Betty Baucum Burnham, sister Elsie Jeanne Carruth, brother Willard Burnham, son-in-law Randall Griffin, and great-grandson, Nicholai Cameron.

Left to cherish his memory are son Timothy Baucum Burnham and Beth of Shreveport, daughter Teri Kay Burnham Gilleon and Grant of Hot Springs, Arkansas, son Glendell Kirk Burnham and John Cichon of Houston, Texas, daughter Gayla Jane Burnham Griffin of Floydada, Texas; grandchildren Jonathan Burnham and Abbie, Katelyn Burnham Oden and Joshua, Drew Burnham and Erin, Hope Hollyfield and James, Russell Cameron and Alyssa, Rachel Griffin Rogers and Jeremiah, Emily Griffin, and Hannah Griffin; great-grandchildren Caine Hollyfield, Jase Hollyfield, Chance Hollyfield, Brodi Cameron, McKenzie Cameron, Graciela Faulder, Katelyn Faulder, Jack Burnham, Ben Burnham, Will Burnham, Kate Burnham, Walker Oden, Lincoln Oden, Mason Burnham, Daniel Burnham and a number of nieces, nephews and cousins.

Visitation will be Wednesday, October 2, 2024, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Bailey Funeral Home, 304 1st Street NW, Springhill. A service celebrating his life will be held on Thursday, October 3, at 1:30 p.m. at Central Baptist Church in Springhill, and will be officiated by Rev. Terry Hughes. Interment will follow at the Old Town Cemetery in Haynesville.

Serving as pallbearers will be Jonathan Burnham, Drew Burnham, Russell Cameron, James Hollyfield, Joshua Oden, Grant Gilleon, Caine Hollyfield, and John Cichon.

Memorial gifts may be made in his memory to Central Baptist Church, 504 W Church St., Springhill, LA 71075-2524, or to the donor’s favorite charity.