Phillip Marrion Burcham Sr. came into this life on May 13, 1924. He was the third son of Jesse and Mary Burcham of Hico, TX. He left this life to begin his new one on November 16, 2004. He is survived by his wife, Jewel Jones Burcham; six children, Phillip M. (Skip) Burcham Jr. and his wife, Donna of Big Spring, Beth Betus and her husband, Sandy of Big Spring, Velinda Bethea and her husband, Noel of Monahans, David Burcham of Big Spring, Tammi Huddleston and her husband, Doug of Monahans and Jeanette Mataalii of Torrance, California; 19 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren; a sister, Loyce Jones of Big Spring; three brothers, Alfred Burcham of Rising Star, Anthony Burcham of Big Spring and Louis Burcham of Big Spring. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, J.L. Burcham who died in the Korean War. Phillip joined the military at the age of 17 and served his country throughout World War II. He served in the Navy attached to the Marines as a Medic. He saw extensive action at Guadalcanal, Guam, Okinawa, and Saipan, China and was there to witness the end of the War. He married Mary Jewel Jones on February 6, 1948 and they made their home in Big Spring for most of their life together. He worked for Cosden from 1952 through 1979 when he retired to begin preaching full time. He began preaching at Knott Church of Christ in 1971 and served there through 1984. He has also preached at Knox City Church of Christ, Anderson Street Church of Christ, and Sand Springs Church of Christ. Phillip was loved and respected by all that knew him, he will be truly missed, but we know that he can say just as his inspiration, Paul the Apostle said "I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness." Funeral services will be held at 4:00 PM Friday, November 19, 2004 at the Nalley-Pickle & Welch Rosewood Chapel with Noel Bethea, officiating and Royce Clay and Billy Reed, assisting. Interment will follow at Trinity Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM Thursday at the funeral home.Arrangements under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Big Spring. Online condolences can be made at: www.npwelch.com,
