Horace L. Burbage

"Bubba" Horace Louis Burbage peacefully surrendered his life's last battle to Lewy Body Dementia at his James Island home surrounded by those he loved. Born to Horace Everett and Mary Catherine (Nelson) Burbage, predeceased, he delighted in growing up on Sullivan's Island.

A true island boy, his childhood was consumed with crabbing, fishing, riding his bike around the island, getting into mischief with his buddies, and searching for treasures at the dump; not so much the nuns at Stella Maris School. Bubba did manage to graduate from Moultrie High School albeit there were those who thought it not probable. 

Taking some time off to consider his opportunities, he enlisted in the USAF (discovering the chow hall) serving a four year obligation followed by a contract with the US Merchant Marines thanks to his uncle John Nelson. As sea faring life was not much to his liking, another hiatus on St. Thomas Island, USVI, was enjoyed, followed by re-enlistment in the USAF (he really missed the chow hall), serving another 20+ years. 

Retiring from active duty he returned to his beloved Charleston, pursuing his own "Bubba's Lawn Maintenance". After laying sod for the first (and last) time, he decided the endeavor not to be his forte. Fortunately, he secured an 18 year civil service environmental position with the USN at the Naval Weapons Station, Goose Creek, culminating a 40 year career with the Department of Defense.

A supportive and generous Bubba helped many whenever and however he could. He unconditionally and deeply loved his family, friends, and our country that he proudly served for so long. But it was obvious that his fondest reminiscence was that of the various chow halls he frequently enjoyed during his military service. Perhaps the grandest of all chow halls awaits him as his new journey begins....

Grievously he leaves behind his loving family: wife, Yvonne (Skirven) Burbage; son, Nelson (Jax) Burbage; stepson, George Skirven; stepdaughter, Jennifer Skirven; grandchildren, Cullen (Amber) Burbage and Hailey Skirven; sisters, Sue Alexander and Jade Mathewes; nephew, John Mathewes; neice, Asia Mathewes; his adoring MIL, Nancy Lee, and great friends. We will all love and miss him one day longer than forever.

Little known, LBD has been described "This disease ia a sea monster with 50 tentacles of symptoms that show when they want" (wife of Robin Williams) and "the worst bits of Alzheimer's and the worst bits of Parkinson's put together" (The Lewy Body Society, UK).

A  memorial service for Bubba will be held at Epworth United Methodist Church on Monday, June 19th, 2022, at 11:00am.  

As an alternative to flowers, we ask that, if you wish, donations be made to the Lewy Body Dementia Association at www.lbda.org to help fund therapeutic research for this most brutal and vicious of dementias. We envision that one day in the near future that the devasting myriad of symptoms and progression may be better managed.