Charles Burrow

Charles “Charlie” Otha Burrow, 63, of Memphis, died Wednesday, June 17, 2020 at the Johnson City Medical Center.

He was of the Baptist faith and he was saved.

Charlie was born on May 22, 1957 in Fayette County, TN to the late Claude and Mary Frances Burrow. He grew up in Galloway, TN.

He served in the United States Marine Corps, which he considered the happiest time of his life. He was the only Marine in his graduating class to make rank at graduation. When he was honorably discharged, Charlie was a sergeant. He had toured the world three times and visited over 30 countries.

After his time in the service, Charlie went to the police academy and became Chief of Police in Galloway, serving as one of the youngest police chiefs in Tennessee. When he left the police department, he went to the fire academy and became a fireman for Memphis and then Collierville, TN. Charlie earned many awards and honors throughout his years of service in the Marines, police department, and fire department. His family will also always say that he made the best potato salad in the world.

Charlie was an avid sports fan. He loved baseball, and his favorite team was the New York Yankees; especially Babe Ruth and Mickey Mantle. He marked everything he ever owned with a 13 or 7. He loved the Memphis Tigers for basketball and the Kansas City Chiefs for football; Joe Montana and the Manning family, Archie, Peyton, and Eli, were his favorites. His favorite movies were Superman, Tarzan, and Full Metal Jacket. He loved Billy Jack and was proud to say his uncle was one of Buford Pusser’s officers. He loved Petticoat Junction and Kung Fu: the Legend Continues. He loved Elvis Presley; from the time he was a teenager until he died, he carried an old Elvis trading card in his wallet he’d gotten in his teenage years.

Charlie enjoyed taking his children to shoot guns, ride dirt bikes, go-karts, and teaching them how to box. He also liked to take his grandchildren snake hunting. Charlie worked out every day of his life for at least an hour, never missed a day. His favorite memory was when he was in Japan and got to go to the Doobie Brothers concert, where he had sake for the first time. He said that was the most fun he’d ever had and the best night of his life.

He loved his Busch beer. And he always had a dog; they were his best friends. His favorites were Sargent, a German Shepherd, and Vickie Ray, a rottweiler. He even taught Vickie Ray how to ride the kids on her back like she was a pony.

Most of all, Charlie loved his children and grandchildren. Every time he spoke to his beloved daughter, Penny Sue, he talked about his precious grandbaby, Elliot, and how he wanted to hold him. Charlie will be greatly missed.

In addition to his parents, Charlie is preceded in death by his brothers, Aubrey, William Warren, John, Billy, and Richard; and sister, Faye.

He is survived by his daughter, Penny Sue and her husband Thomas Jacob “TJ”, and their children, Alexis Gabriel and Makayla Marie, and great-grandson, Elliot James “EJ”; his son, John Charles “Chuck” and wife, Roxie and their children, John Ethan and Kenley Marie; and sisters, Cornelia, Evelyn Marie, Mary Ruth, Nancy Jane, Becky Joe, and Linda Carol.

Services will be scheduled for a later date. The family would like to thank everyone who has reached out during this difficult time.

Charles leaves these memories with you: https://photos.app.goo.gl/Cs967iMwviYUsEZC9