J B Burden III

J B “Buddy” Burden, III, of Greenville, died peacefully at his home, after a lengthy illness, on Sunday, February 15, 2026. He was born in Commerce, Texas on February 3, 1961, the son of J B Burden, Jr., and Anita Joyce Combs.

A reception for family and friends will be held on Saturday, February 21, 2026 at noon at Commerce Funeral Home. A memorial service celebrating Buddy's life will begin at 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Inurnment will immediately follow at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Cooper, TX.

Buddy attended Fannindel High School, graduating with the class of 1979. He owned and operated a drywall business, Burden Drywall, since 1983. Being a business owner afforded him the ability to pursue other interests and hobbies.

When Buddy wasn’t running his business, he enjoyed many activities, most of them having to do with spending time with those he cherished most, his family and friends. He enjoyed playing poker, shooting pool, and dancing to good music. He really enjoyed the outdoors, including spending time at the lake, camping, fishing, shooting guns, and riding his motorcycle. There is no question that the time he cherished the most was time spent with his children and grandchildren. Buddy was active in the MIA Post 231 Lake Texoma American Legion Riders. He highly valued his time riding and cultivating those relationships.

Those left to cherish memories of Buddy are his children, Chrystal Slatter, and husband, Joe, April Gagliano, and husband, Tony, Shane Burden, and Derek Burden; grandchildren, Micheal Bowen-Perkins, Evelyn Gagliano, Addison Gagliano, and Daniel Burden; great grandchildren, Leighton Smithee, Elizabeth Smithee, and Ezra Perkins; brothers, Kim Wayne Burden, Brad Burden, and Terry Don Burden.

Preceding Buddy in death was his mother, Anita Combs Asay, father, J B Burden, Jr., and granddaughter, Millicent Miles.