Burri, Charles R. 1931-2025 St. Joseph, Mo.
Charles R. “Charlie” Burri, 94, St. Joseph, passed away Tuesday, April 15, 2025. He was born March 24, 1931, in St. Joseph.
Charlie married Clara Patricia “Patti” Wilson on June 11, 1956.
He was a graduate of Christian Brothers High School, received his Bachelor of Science Degree from Northwest Missouri State University in 1958 and received a master’s degree from the University of Missouri in 1964.
Charlie coached and taught at Faucett High School from 1958-1962, Benton High School 1962-1966, Missouri Western Junior College 1966-1968, and Missouri Western State College 1969-1984.
He was the first head Basketball Coach from 1966 until 1969, when he became the first Athletic Director, also serving as the first Golf Coach. His teams made three NAIA National Tournament Appearances, earned 1 CSIC Conference Championship, and were three-time NAIA District Champions.
As Athletic Director, Charlie built Spratt Memorial Stadium, which opened Sept. 8, 1979. He also founded the Gold Coat Club. He was honored by the University with the street in front of the stadium being named Charlie Burri Drive. He often enjoyed driving family and friends to see his sign.
He has received personal awards which include induction into five Halls of Fame: Charter Member of the Missouri Western State College Athletic Hall of Fame, NAIA Athletic Directors Hall of Fame, National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletic (NACDA) Hall of Fame, inaugural class in St. Joseph Hall of Fame, and Missouri Sports Hall of Fame. Charlie was President of NAIA Athletic Directors Association in 1977, and later NAIA Affiliate Conference Committees. He received the Missouri Western State College Distinguished Alumni Award in 1998 and the Missouri Western State University Alumni Association Herb in 1935 and the Peggy Iffert Award for Outstanding Service to the University.
Charlie was the Conference Commissioner of CSIC Athletic Conference and the Conference Commissioner of the Heart of America Conference in the 1980’s. Charlie and Patti were members of Ashland United Methodist Church for over 50 years.
Charlie was an avid hunter and fisherman. After retirement he sought whatever was in season and enjoyed time hunting and fishing with his hunting buddies, they were so special to him. He was one of the first to filet fish with an electric knife, often drawing a crowd when cleaning his catch on annual trips to Minnesota. He bagged many pheasant and quail over his bird dogs, ducks and geese at Misty Morning Acers, and numerous turkey and deer.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Edna (Allumbaugh) Burri, and his wife, Patti Burri.
Survivors include his children, Brett (Erin), Columbia, Missouri, Craig (Shelly), Springfield, Missouri, and Carla Cole, Shawnee, Kansas; He also survived by 11 grandchildren, Justin (Aubrey), Kirsten, Kayla (Lexie), Spencer, Jackson, Joshua, Nicholas, Samuel, Kaitlyn, Reece, Avery; and a great-granddaughter, Poppy.
We our forever grateful for Lori (Greg) Ashworth for the exceptional care provided for both our parents. You will always be considered like family to us.
We will miss our dad but take comfort that he is home now with Jesus in Heaven seeing his bride, Patti. He touched a lot of people’s lives everywhere he went. He never met a stranger and loved sharing his funny stories and many adventures.
Farewell Services and Public Livestream 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. The family will gather with friends noon to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Noyes Home for Children or the Missouri Western Alumni Association.
Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com. As published in the St. Joseph News-Press.
