Tommy Lee Burrell, 69, of Tryon, passed away Tuesday morning, July 31, 2018, at Charles George VA Medical Center Hospice Unit, Asheville.

A native of Polk County, he was the son of the late Coit and Pauline Summey Burrell.

Mr. Burrell was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served in Vietnam. 

After the war, Tommy went on to work for Duke Energy until his retirement. Mr. Burrell retired from the Tryon Fire Department. He then worked a brief period at Tryon Estates.

Mr. Burrell was an avid golfer and won several club championships at the Tryon County Club, where he was a longtime member. He was a member of the American Legion Post in Hendersonville and the VFW Post No. 10349 in Mill Spring. 

Mr. Burrell was a longtime member of First Baptist Church of Tryon.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Coy Campbell.

Surviving is his loving wife of 46 years, Sharon Yoder Burrell; one son, Cale Burrell (Casi) of Hendersonville; two sisters, Polly Burns (Russell) of Holly Springs and Lucy Mahaffey of Inman; two grandchildren, Badge Burrell and Leah Burrell; one aunt, Lula Burrell of Tryon; four nieces, Teresa Smith (Ricky), Wanda Gossett (Robbie), Sharon Johnson and Kim Taylor; one nephew, Mark Mahaffey; three great-nieces, Tori Smith, Katie Gossett and Abby Gossett; and two great-nephews, Chase and Matthew Johnson.

A funeral will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4, 2018, at the McFarland Funeral Chapel, with Dr. Jeff Harris officiating with military rites conducted by the Polk County Veterans Memorial Honor Guard.

The family will receive friends Saturday prior to the service from 1 to 2:45 p.m. at the McFarland Funeral Chapel.

Private interment will be in the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery, Black Mountain.

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Tryon or to the Charles George VA Medical Center Hospice Unit.

At other times, the family will be at the home.

An online guest register is available at mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com.

McFarland Funeral Chapel & Crematory

Tryon