Howard Dennison Burroughs Jr.

On February 22, 1933 in Houston, TX, Howard Burroughs Sr. and Mary May Cartwright Burroughs of Green River Road, together with their first born, two-year-old daughter Mary Lou, celebrated the arrival of their son Howard Dennison Burroughs, Jr. and rejoiced with heaven as they witnessed his first earthly breath. He was joined three years later by his sweet baby sister Jimmie. After another eight years, his beloved baby brother Bruce was born. Howard grew up in a home filled with love, laughter and Jesus. Howard and his family began attending Kashmere Gardens Assembly of God when he was sixteen years old. It was there that Howard's younger sister Jimmie befriended what was to be her lifelong dear friend, Margie Samford. Margie was 13 years old at the time and the church piano player. Howard could not have known that only three years later, Jimmie's cute little friend Margie would be the proud winner and forever owner of his heart. The only love that took priority over what he deeply felt for his Margie was the love that he had for his Savior. Howard loved sports and found himself in a season where he was playing semi pro baseball and often missing church on Sundays. Having been raised to know the truth of the Gospel, Howard faced a pivotal point in his walk with Jesus. He and his dear friend, James Bridges, attended a revival together and both Howard and James made the decision to rededicate their lives to the Lord. Howard even went on to sell his baseball cleats and glove in response to the call of the Lord to strip away every weight and run his race with all possible endurance. Holding fast to the call of God on his life, Howard served his country as a corporal in the army in Anchorage, Alaska during the Korean War from August 1953 until June of 1955. Not long after his return, he married his Margie, the love of his life, on January 28, 1956. Howard and Margie moved to Waxahachie, TX so he could attend Southwestern Assemblies of God College. He graduated in May of 1958 and was ordained as a minister by the Assemblies of God the following year. Even while in college, Howard and Margie pastored Hopewell Assembly of God shortly after they were married. Later, they pastored the Assembly of God church, in Vivian, Louisiana (1958-1961). While in Vivian, the young couple welcomed the birth of their sons, Danny Mack in 1959 and Mike Alan in 1960. In 1961 The Burroughs Family moved to Alexandria, Louisiana to start a new Assembly of God Church. They then found their way back to Houston, Texas where they pastored the Burbank Assembly of God, which later was relocated and renamed the Assembly of God Tabernacle, for eighteen years (1963-1981). During this season, they were blessed with the birth of a third baby boy, John Martin (Marty), in 1967. Brother Burroughs became known as Brother B and he served in many vital roles for the South Texas District of the Assemblies of God. He was a Presbyter of the North Houston Section from 1969-1971, then Assistant Superintendent from 1977-1981, as well as being a member of the District Presbytery Board from 1977 until his passing. In 1981, Brother B went on to become the Superintendent for the South Texas District of the Assemblies of God, where he served faithfully for 20 years. During this same period of time, he also served the General Council of the Assemblies of God as a Presbyter. Brother Burroughs also served faithfully on many other boards: Southwestern Assemblies of God University Board of Regents and Executive Committee, Pleasant Hills Children's Home, The American Indian Bible College, Partners in Revival Board-Pensacola, Florida and the Brownsville Revival Covering Committee- Springfield Missouri. With all of his many accomplishments, his greatest treasures were his relationships with Jesus and his greatly increased, loving family. Brother B and Margie enjoyed a season of retirement in Kerrville after leaving the district office, but they continued to travel and minister across south Texas. They were faithful attendees of Living Waters Church, where he preached frequently, and were so very proud to see and be part of the good work of their Pastor and son, Mike, and his wife Tammy. They thoroughly treasured their occasional weekend trips to Houston to be with their son Mack and his wife MaryLou and were also often the honored guests of Northwood Church in Spring, TX where their son Marty and his wife Tammy pastor. Brother B was also an avid reader, especially about history. He treasured his time on the patio with a good book and would often be found there. Brother B knew how to live contently, but not complacently, and when asked how he was doing, he most often responded with "just right." He will be long remembered for many things: his powerfully anointed preaching, his holy spirit inspired teaching, his incomparable way of captivating a crowd with a story, his faithful and humble stewardship of Godâ's resources, his transparency and unwavering commitment to a lifestyle without compromise, his radical, immovable faith and trust in his God, his biblically founded wise counsel and his truly genuine love of all people, especially those entrusted in his care. Anyone who knew the heart of Reverend Howard D. Burroughs, Jr., knew that it was his life's mission and greatest desire for all who he encountered to know the Jesus that he so loved and by knowing him have the same opportunity to spend eternity in the Heaven he now calls home. Howard was preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Mary Burroughs, and sister Mary Lou. He is survived by his wife Margie of 62 incredible years and their three sons, Danny Mack (MaryLou), Mike (Tammy) and Marty (Tammy). He is also survived by his seven grandchildren: Mike Burroughs Jr. (Joni), Jonathan Burroughs (Amber), Lori Beth Burroughs, Jennifer Wright (Alex), Crystn Burroughs, John Martin Burroughs II (Elissa) and Ashton Burroughs, as well as twelve great grandchildren: Andrew Burroughs, Preston Burroughs, Hunter Haines, Hadyn Haines, Grace Burroughs, Audrey Gaines-May, Keaton Burroughs, Howard Hutchenson Haines, Huxton Haines, Jonathan Kipling Burroughs, Hawkins Haines, & Clara Wright. He is also survived by his sister Jimmie Lane (Charles), Brother Bruce (Kay), sister in law Jeane Crabtree (Ray), as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and a multitude of dear friends. The celebration of his life will be held this Friday, May 18th, at 10:30 AM at Braeswood Assembly of God located at 10611 Fondren Road, Houston, TX 77096.

Howard Dennison Burroughs Jr.

May 14, 2018