Wesley Earl Burdick Obituary

Posted Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Wes Burdick, 80, died suddenly on Thursday August 23, 2007 from complications due to a tragic accident while doing what he loved most, riding and roping. Wes was born in Merced, California on June 18, 1927.

Wes grew up most of his young life in Le Grand, California, where he and his brother, Bill, and sister, Marion, learned from their mom, Aliline, all about horses and cattle ranching – basics Wes utilized throughout his life. He graduated from Le Grand High School and after graduating, while still in his teens, Wes joined the Marines and was a proud Veteran.

After Wes’ tour of duty with the Marines, he settled in Mariposa with his maternal aunt and uncle, Daisy and Clair Wolfsen. While at their ranch Wes lived the “cowboy” life and began rodeoing – competing in calf roping, steer wrestling, bronc riding, and steer stopping. Team roping eventually became Wes’ event of choice, one that he excelled in, heading for countless heelers – from novices to pros. Wes had a grace and style with a horse and a roping style unlike any other. He made things that seemed so hard for others look easy. Wes never needed or competed for an audience or accolades – he did what he did for his passion and self-satisfaction.

“Wes Burdick” – that pretty much says it all if you knew him. He was a man of few words, but everyone listened when he spoke. He was “old school”, a Marine, a man of pride, a cowboy. He was honest and was honest about you, even if you didn’t want him to be – he didn’t tell you what he thought you’d want to hear, he told you how it was. He did not waste words. If he loved you, you knew it. If he didn’t, you knew that too.

Wes had six daughters, the “Burdick girls”, each of whom he loved in his own special way, as they loved him, in each of their own special way. They all followed their own paths in life and Wes respected, admired, and took pride in them for that. They are his legacy.

Wes’ “family” included his horses, dogs, and friends. His family was everything to him, yet it didn’t change who he was or how he lived his life. Wes was a man who owned his decisions. He had a zest for life, right until the end. His family has comfort in knowing he went out doing what he loved.

Wes was preceded in death by his mother, Aliline (Peterson) Chapman; his father, Wilbur “Bert” Burdick; his step-father, Emmett “Bub” Chapman; his brother Bill Burdick; and his sister, Marion (Burdick) Gill. Wes was also preceded in death by his dear aunt and uncle, Daisy and Clair Wolfsen, whom he always considered his “second parents”.

Wes is survived by his wife of forty-one years, Novalee (Cowden) Burdick; his daughters, Linda Burdick, Sis (Burdick) Buttrey, Joni (Burdick) Grubb, Patti Burdick, Tammy (Burdick) Gasper, and Kelli (Burdick) King; son-in-laws, Brad Buttrey, Rob Grubb, Danny Gasper, and Coy King. Wes is also survived by his step-son, Rick Fausone, his half-sister, Lynne Burdick, and by his half-brothers, Darrell (Shelly) and Jack (Leslie) Chapman. Wes was a proud “Papa” to his eleven grandchildren (Kari Lyn, Kaden, Michael, Clair, Alyssa, Britney, Cole, Danielle, Dusty, Cody, and Shayla) and six great-grandchildren (Garrett, Jared, Jaden, Jordyn, Paige, and Madison.)

A memorial service for Wes will be held Wednesday August 29, 2007 at 11:00 AM at the Christian Life Center on Olive Avenue in Merced, California. A “celebration of life” and luncheon will follow immediately after the services at the Merced Elks Lodge on M Street in Merced.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations can be made in Wes’ honor and sent to 804 Kings Avenue, Chowchilla, CA 93610 or to Friends of Rodeo, PO Box 428, Merced, CA 95341, or to a charity of your choice.