Page 37 - Lubbock Senior Link Magazine Fall 2019- Online Magazine

KorEaN Era

army corps of
he knew where he might be able to find a drink. illustrious career was most ENGiNEErs
The officer replied, “You know how hard it is to recently recognized by
get a ship inside a bottle? It’s even harder to get AWC (American Women
a bottle on one of these ships.” in Communication) as “Communicator of
the Year”. If you have read many of his (or
Burle Pettit adamantly describes his service as Schnopper’s) columns, you might agree that
“totally insignificant” when compared to the he deserves “Communicator of the Decades”.
fierce combat his father, uncle and brothers Burle knows he is fortunate to have seen his
endured. “They are the real heroes.” boyhood dream realized. In fact, that is exactly
the title of his autobiography: A Boyhood Dream
After Burle was discharged, he finished his Realized - Half a Century of Texas Culture One
degree in journalism at UNT and received Newspaper Column at a Time. The book is due out
several job offers. He decided on the sports Nov. 15 and is already available for pre-order on
writing position at The Lubbock Avalanche Journal. amazon.com. He hopes his legacy will be that
“It will only be for a year,” he promised Frances. he was “a damn good newspaperman” and that
After a year, he was offered a job in Houston, he impacted “enough lives in a positive way.”
but by then, the couple had three boys, and they It is a good thing for Lubbock that Burle Pettit’s
agreed that Lubbock was a better environment dream came true because the countless readers
for raising them. He thoroughly enjoyed that of his insightful commentaries are included in
chapter in his life, joining the staff of the AJ the number of lives who have been positively
the same year Texas Tech joined the Southwest influenced.
Conference. He continued in that role “until the
bosses decided I was having ‘too much fun’ and
moved me into management.” In 1973, Burle
Pettit became Managing Editor, then Executive
Editor, then Editor-in-Chief – only the second
one in the AJ’s history - and finally Editor
Emeritus. One of the most rewarding aspects
of his career was watching young reporters
develop. According to feedback at a recent
reunion, more than a few of them call Burle
Pettit their mentor. He asked some of his former
staff why they didn’t say such nice things about
him back in the newsroom. “Because you were
always on our ass,” was the general consensus.

Frances passed away two years ago, just days
after their 60 anniversary. But fate has
th
smiled on Burle again. His longtime
friend, Bev Moore, whose husband Jim
had also passed away, and the retired
newsman have begun a new chapter Medicare Supplements
together. The two obviously have a
mutual respect for each other, and
according to Burle, “All the children and David B. Lewallen
grandchildren approve.” (He has three independent agent
sons, six grandchildren and six great-
grandchildren.) 2815 74th St P.O. Box 53957

The walls in his Carillon apartment lubbock, texas 79423 lubbock, texas 79453
fax (806) 799-8153
(806) 792-7510
are covered with awards, honors and
autographed photos. Burle Pettit’s
Doing business locally for over 38 years

Lubbock Senior Link 37