Obituary for Johnnie Lee Burris
Johnnie Lee Burris, 73, Hollis, passed away on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at his home.
Johnnie Lee was born on August 19, 1952, in Olustee, Oklahoma to Cornelius and Clara Mae (Vaughn) Burris. He attended schools in Hollis, Duke, and Gould and helped his father in the cotton fields in the Harmon County area after school was out. Johnnie was a standout basketball and baseball player at Gould, lettering in both. He was an All-State baseball player and an Alternate All State basketball player in 1971. He was a member of two state baseball championships in 1970 and 1971 before he graduated in 1971. Johnnie was blessed to receive a scholarship to play baseball for Southwestern State University in Weatherford, Oklahoma. He played for four years before graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1975. While at Southwestern, he received numerous achievements: he was a 1973 District 9 All Star, was voted "Outstanding College Athlete of America" by the conference and was an Academic All American in 1974. In 1975, Johnnie was voted an All-Conference Player before he graduated.
His baseball career extended into playing with a semi-pro team, the "Lawton Pepsis" in Lawton, Oklahoma. He also pursued a professional baseball career as a walk-on with the Chicago Cubs organization in 1976 in Scottsdale, Arizona. After going through training and not making the team, he returned to Weatherford. Johnnie went to work for a US/Global manufacturing company, 3M, in 1976. He spent 22 years with the company before pursuing other opportunities in retail, automotive, semi-conductor, sports industry, and home health. In 2006, God called upon him to return to his hometown of Hollis to be a caregiver to his ailing mother. He accepted that challenge for his Lord and Savior. He took care of her for four years before her passing in 2010. He decided to retire years later after her passing to take care of the family home.
He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Donald Ray, LeRoy, and Oma.
Those left to honor his memory are his daughter, Jo Stephanie Burris; his partner in life, Shirley Burris; his brother, Ray Burris; and numerous nieces, nephews, other family, and friends.
The family will host a visitation for family and friends from 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM Wednesday,
June 24, 2026, at the Harmon County Funeral Home. Cremation and arrangements are under
the care of the Harmon County Funeral Home.
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Johnnie Lee was born on August 19, 1952, in Olustee, Oklahoma to Cornelius and Clara Mae (Vaughn) Burris. He attended schools in Hollis, Duke, and Gould and helped his father in the cotton fields in the Harmon County area after school was out. Johnnie was a standout basketball and baseball player at Gould, lettering in both. He was an All-State baseball player and an Alternate All State basketball player in 1971. He was a member of two state baseball championships in 1970 and 1971 before he graduated in 1971. Johnnie was blessed to receive a scholarship to play baseball for Southwestern State University in Weatherford, Oklahoma. He played for four years before graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1975. While at Southwestern, he received numerous achievements: he was a 1973 District 9 All Star, was voted "Outstanding College Athlete of America" by the conference and was an Academic All American in 1974. In 1975, Johnnie was voted an All-Conference Player before he graduated.
His baseball career extended into playing with a semi-pro team, the "Lawton Pepsis" in Lawton, Oklahoma. He also pursued a professional baseball career as a walk-on with the Chicago Cubs organization in 1976 in Scottsdale, Arizona. After going through training and not making the team, he returned to Weatherford. Johnnie went to work for a US/Global manufacturing company, 3M, in 1976. He spent 22 years with the company before pursuing other opportunities in retail, automotive, semi-conductor, sports industry, and home health. In 2006, God called upon him to return to his hometown of Hollis to be a caregiver to his ailing mother. He accepted that challenge for his Lord and Savior. He took care of her for four years before her passing in 2010. He decided to retire years later after her passing to take care of the family home.
He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Donald Ray, LeRoy, and Oma.
Those left to honor his memory are his daughter, Jo Stephanie Burris; his partner in life, Shirley Burris; his brother, Ray Burris; and numerous nieces, nephews, other family, and friends.
The family will host a visitation for family and friends from 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM Wednesday,
June 24, 2026, at the Harmon County Funeral Home. Cremation and arrangements are under
the care of the Harmon County Funeral Home.
To send flowers in memory of Johnnie Lee Burris, visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Visitation
Wednesday
24
Jun
12:00 PM
- 6:00 PM
Harmon County Funeral Home
417 East Broadway
Hollis, OK 73550
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