Vernon Burleigh Whiteside Jr., 92, a native of Chattanooga, Tenn. and longtime resident of Fairhope, passed away Friday, March 20, 2015.
Burleigh graduated high school from McCallie School for Boys. He then went on to attend Sewanee, University of the South. He was a Sigma Alpha Epsilon member.
Having to break for a time to serve as a pilot in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, he returned to his studies and graduated from the University of Texas in Austin.
After graduation, Burleigh moved to Mobile to work for his uncle at T.A. Provence Shipping Co. Shortly thereafter, he found his niche in the securities industry. He maintained his brokerage career for more than 50 years.
Burleigh was an active participant in his community. He served as president of the Mobile Cancer Society. He was a member/actor with The Joe Jefferson Players and a member of the Knights of Revelry mystic society.
He enjoyed acting and reading poetry. He loved flying and continued his hobby for a number of years.
However, sailing and storytelling were his true passions. He always had a “fitting” story or joke to tell, no matter what the occasion. Burleigh raced sailboats on Mobile Bay and offshore. He was a lifelong member and served as commodore for the Fairhope Yacht Club.
His last few years, Burleigh had the privilege of traveling with Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. as a World War II veteran.
He had a full and active life. He will be missed dearly by all who knew him.
Burleigh Whiteside is survived by his wife, Patricia R. Whiteside of Fairhope; children, Lisa Routh Whiteside Touart (Frank), Amy L. Whiteside and Kenneth J. Geurtsen (Sandy); grandchildren, Alden F. Whiteside, Francis G. Touart III, Emily Jenkins (Ben), Amy Clack (Ryan), Ryan Geurtsen and Nicholas Geurtsen (Lane); and a great-grandchild, Henry B. Jenkins.
A celebration of life will be held Thursday, March 26, 2015, at 10 a.m., at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Daphne, with the Rev. Thack Dyson officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to AmericanVeteransCenter.org.
Arrangements by Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Home, Fairhope.
