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Otis Franklin Burris

1930 - 2019

Otis Franklin Burris obituary, 1930-2019, Vancouver, WA

BORN

1930

DIED

2019

Otis Burris Obituary


OTIS FRANKLIN BURRIS
June 18, 1930 ˜ October 25, 2019

Otis Franklin Burris passed away peacefully at his residence in Vancouver, WA on October 25, 2019. He was born in Ponca City, OK to parents Otis Edgar and Cirrelda Franklin Burris. Otis was the youngest of 3, having two older sisters, Cirrelda and Martha Elizabeth (Betty). He lived his young adult life in Ponca City, attending Ponca City High School (Wildcats class of 1948), playing clarinet in the band, and meeting and dating the love of his life, his high school sweetheart, Janice, who he would ultimately marry on June 27, 1953.
In the fall of 1948, Otis attended University of Oklahoma, and was a member of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity. He was accepted early to Medical School at University of Oklahoma, then completed surgery residency at Kansas University Medical Center in Kansas City in 1960.
After completion of his residency, Otis accepted his appointment with the U.S. Navy at Camp Pendleton, CA serving as Physician for the Marines. He spent time in Okinawa and onboard submarines and naval ships in the Pacific Ocean during his tour of duty.
Upon discharge from the Navy, Otis moved his family to Vancouver to join a private practice with Ted Dillman.
During his years of private practice with the Columbia Surgical Group, Otis served as both Surgeon and past Medical Staff President at SWMC. Although he officially retired in 1996, he continued to serve on the board of the Free Clinic and as an advisor/mentor for the Family Medicine Residency Program for many years after. Otis cared deeply for the health and welfare of his patients in the Vancouver community, and he considered his partners, Ted Dillman, Ron Graham, Richard Hurst, Jim Scarborough, and Bob Douglas, and all the nursing staff to be like family. Whether he was mentoring Residents or visiting with caregivers and nurses while a resident at Touchmark, he continued to inspire and motivate others to be their best.
Otis loved spending leisure time with his wife whether it be in the mountains or on the beach. Both Otie and Jan were “Friends of Timberline” and enjoyed many ski trips at Timberline Lodge enjoying the fellowship of good friends. Group hiking trips on Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Hood, and many other Pacific Northwest favorites provided the perfect setting for Otis to indulge his passion of photography. Otis loved photography and was always drawn to places of great natural beauty. Otie and Jan spent many weeks a year at the Washington and Oregon coastal towns of Seaview, Long Beach, Seaside, and Depot Bay. Otie regularly attended the Long Beach Kite Festival and became an enthusiast of Dual Line Kite Flying.
Otis and Janice were members of Royal Oaks Country Club where Otie enjoyed playing golf with his regular “golf buddies” for many years. Otie also always enjoyed music, and joined Beacock Music’s New Horizon’s Band as well as their Jazz band playing both the clarinet and Saxophone. In retirement, he played in many concerts, one of his favorites being at the Willamette National Cemetary on Memorial Day to honor Veterans.
Otis and Janice were active 50+ year members of the First Presbyterian Church who loved their church community. Otis embraced his role as father, uncle, great uncle and Grandpa Doc, but most especially as devoted husband to Jan, where their love story now continues in heaven.
Otis is survived by his two daughters, Cynthia Burris (John) and Laura Fuller (Gary); his three grandchildren, KayLynne, Emily, and Franklin Fuller; nieces, Cirrelda Snider Bryan and Elizabeth Snider; and six great-nieces and nephews.
Services will be held on Saturday, November 16 at 11:00 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 4300 Main Street, Vancouver, WA.
Please sign his guest book @ www.columbian.com/obits

Published by The Columbian on Nov. 10, 2019.
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Memories and Condolences
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Sponsored by His daughters.

Not sure what to say?





Reading these entries about Uncle Otie and Aunt Jan again sure bring their loving spirits back!
Thanks to Laura and Cindy for keeping them here.

Cirrelda Snider-Bryan

November 4, 2023

An absolutely authentic honorable person. I worked alongside Dr.Burris when he mentored the family medicine residents. He was the best role model ever. The best.

Mary Shepard

November 22, 2019

so sorry to hear of dr burri's passing Dr burris was a wonderful doctor and treated everyone with such compassion

judy thacker

November 17, 2019

Dr. Burris and Dr. Dillman operated on my Grandmother and saved her like at the Old St Joes hospital. I will never forget those two wonderful Doctors. May God bless your family.

November 17, 2019

I was sorry to read about Dr. Burris. I worked with him and Dr. Dillman at Vancouver Memorial and SWWH as an RN and in several roles. They saved my life when a surgery by an OB MD was handled badly. The would not let that MD near me again and were very mad. But because of their care many people were well taken care. He was a caring man. I was Director of Nurses when St. Joseph and Memorial became SWWH.Their advice and help was as always so helpful. My condolences to the family.

Jeanine Bailiff

November 15, 2019

I had the pleasure of working with and knowing Dr. Burris. He was a very wonderful gentleman and physician. Always had a smile when he would walk onto the units to make his rounds. He always treated his patients and staff with respect. We have lost a wonderful gentleman and physician but heaven has gained a bright shining star and angel to watch over his family❤. May God's blessings be with his family. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Diana Bliss

November 14, 2019

I was honored to have known Otie Burris as a partner, mentor, friend, and neighbor for more than 25 years. When I joined the Columbia Surgical Group he very much made me feel welcome (possibly because I was replacing him on the call schedule) and always treated me as an equal, even though I was much younger and less experienced. Otie's strength of character greatly helped to define the camaraderie we all felt within our small group of surgeons. This is difficult to put into words other than to say he always showed, by his example, how to be an ethical, compassionate, wise, and good doctor. His patients and partners all knew that best about him.
I feel my association with him elevated me as a surgeon and also as a person. I am grateful to him for that, and am fortunate to have known him.

Robert Douglass

November 12, 2019

Laura and Cindy,

Your Dad was such a kind and humble man. I always enjoyed seeing both of your parents. They were always so positive and interesting.
I once cleaned Your Dad's and Dr. Dillman's Clinic on Sunday's with Dr. Dillman's daughter. It was a great job for young teenagers even though I occasionally used too much wax on the floor in the exam rooms.
I remember telling your Dad about this and he didn't seem too concerned about it, just chuckled. What a gem he was. Thanks for letting me into your lives and knowing your parents. Much Love to you both.

Angie Leonard

November 12, 2019

I worked at SWWMC in the 80's where I would see Dr. Burris. I always liked him. He was a good doctor, a gentleman and just a nice person. My thoughts are with his family and friends.

Betty Barkley

November 11, 2019

In 1966 I had a motorcycle accident which destroyed 2 thirds or my liver and my Gaul Blatter. Dr. Burris and Dr. Dillman were my physician's, Dr. Burris the main surgeon. I owe my life to him them. They were extremely caring loving doctors. I was 20 years old, married a short time and had one child 5 months old. They helped us through by giving us needed medicines (no charge).
To this day every time I visit the hospital I always think of him and what he did for me. I always wanted to tell him thank you but never saw him.
Thanks to him I have an amazing wife (54 years), 3 more children (4 total), 8 grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren. I will be in debited to him forever.
Our love and condolence's
Thank you! Thank you!

Pat & Darlene Dolan

November 11, 2019

Very grateful for this complete tribute to our Uncle Otie -- and so grateful for our close ties with his two daughters - our cousins - and wife - our Aunt Janice. Thus begins our journey incorporating our UO and AJ into our lives creatively through memory only - and we have a stock of wonderful memories with them and our beloved cousins.

A favorite memory is of Uncle Otie and our Dad (Uncle Jim) taking movies of each other on the tram at Disneyland! documenting our early adventures together. We are blessed with that treasure that they created.

Could keep on writing ...

Grateful for an enthusiastic and nurturing Uncle and Aunt!

Cirrelda Snider-Bryan

November 11, 2019

Dr. Burris.. what a gem. I worked with Otie at the Family Medicine Residency Program where he was a mentor to not only our young physicians but all of us. He was sharp, smart and witting. I never heard a negative word from him..

I respected him and loved his smile. He's with his beloved Jan and smiling again.

Nancy Moyer

November 10, 2019

Cindy and Laura -

We send you our condolences and prayers. Otie and your family were introduced through our friend, his sister, Martha. John and I enjoyed our time hosting Otie, the meals we shared and interesting conversation. Otie called me one evening from his new residence and he was so happy to be with his beloved Jan. Sad to hear the news but joyous that he is reunited. Lynn and John O'Halloran

November 10, 2019

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11:00 a.m.

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4300 Main Street, Vancouver, WA

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