John Norris Burdekin, MSGT, USAF (Ret.), was born in Oswego, New York on December 11, 1929, and following a long decline in health, entered eternal life on May 28, 2022, at the age of ninety-two. John was the fourth of five children born to Norman George Burdekin of Halifax, England, and Henrietta “Hattie” Viola (Pittsley) Burdekin of Oswego, New York.
John grew up and attended primary then high school in Oswego. He graduated from Oswego High School in 1949. During his high school years, John played football and was a track star. He held the New York state record for the 220-yard dash for several years. It was said that once John got the football in his hands, no one in New York could catch him. During his youth, John became a talented artist, excelling in drawing and wood carving. He learned carpentry and building skills from his father, which he used throughout his life.
Three days after graduating from high school, John joined the U.S Air Force, proudly serving twenty-four years, retiring in 1973. John’s talents were in planning and development. These skills led to him being instrumental in the Air Force’s implementation of computers for supply support. During the Viet Nam conflict, John and his family were stationed in Hawaii for three years. He spent much of that tour in Asia (Guam, the Philippines, Viet Nam, Thailand, Taiwan, and Japan) developing and installing computer systems for the “first attempt at computerized supply support in a combat zone”. John’s final tour of duty was at Ent AFB, Air Defense Command in Colorado Springs.
Following retirement from the military, John continued using his computer skills as a programmer, developer, and analyst working for several Colorado Springs companies and doing contract work for the Air Force.
John got what he called, “the best job of my life” when he went to work for a pipe organ repair company. He started as the office manager, but his woodworking and building skills quickly resulted in a transition to repair work.
While stationed at Ernest Harmon AFB in Newfoundland, Canada, John married Edwina Amelia Colbourne of Twillingate, Nfld., Canada on December 1, 1951. They had five children over the following eight years: Robert Dennis, David John, Rebecca Ann, Edwin Christopher (Chris), and Susan Elizabeth. They divorced in 1979.
John married Dianne Beth (Keller) Matson on October 2, 1982. At the time of John’s death, they had been married for thirty-nine years. When they married, John accepted Dianne’s four adult children, Mark, Steve, Tim, and Kari, as his own. John said he had nine kids but never thought of any as step kids.
John was active in the Episcopal then Lutheran churches, often serving on parish counsels and in other leadership positions. John was also an avid bowler and a member of the Lutheran Men’s Bowling League. Though he never learned to read music, saying that it looked like flies on a sheet of paper, John had a marvelous tenor singing voice. He and Dianne sang with the volunteer Soli Deo Gloria choir, Colorado Springs Chorale, and church choirs for many years.
John was predeceased by his parents; brothers, Norman “Bud” Burdekin and Robert (Audrey) Burdekin; sister, Evelyn “Ebbie” (Grier) Ramsey; and son, E. Christopher Burdekin. Left to mourn John are his brother, James Burdekin of Fulton, NY; eight sons and daughters, and their spouses; sixteen grandchildren; four great-grandsons, and many friends.
A Celebration of John’s Life will be held at Grace Lutheran Church, 1128 E. Boulder Street, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80903 on Friday, June 24, 2022, at 11:00 am. Light luncheon to follow. Inurnment of ashes, with military honors, will be at Shrine of Remembrance, 1730 E. Fountain Boulevard, Colorado Springs, CO 80910.
The family wishes to thank the MorningStar Senior Living Community staff for their compassionate care for John. We also thank Bristol Hospice for providing comfort and expert care for John during his final weeks.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Grace Lutheran Church or Bristol Hospice.