Hedley David Bramwell and Ellen Colleen Knowles Burrell Obituary (1937 - 2022)

Hedley David Bramwell Burrell was born in Uniontown PA on January 25, 1937. He passed away on November 19, 2022. Ellen Colleen Knowles was born in Cedar Rapids IA on August 11, 1938. She passed away on October 23, 2022. Hedley David Bramwell Burrell graduated in 1954 from Ashland HS where he lettered in basketball and track. He enlisted in the Air Force at 17 and met his future wife, Ellen at his first duty assignment in Las Vegas NV. During his 27 years of service in the Air Force, Hedley earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Albuquerque, served during the Vietnam War in Thailand, and rose to rank of Chief Master Sergeant. Ellen Colleen Burrell graduated from Gorman High School in 1957 and was wed to Hedley that same year. Hedley and Ellen began a 65 year love affair and adventure that took them around the world, with Air Force assignments in Las Vegas NV, Misawa Japan, Denver CO, Alconbury England, Del Rio TX, Madrid Spain, and Clovis NM. After retiring from the Air Force, Hedley accepted management positions with McDonnell Douglas, Unisys, and Booz-Allen and he and Ellen spent another 15 years overseas in Saudi Arabia and Tunisia. Ellen turned each new duty assignment into a warm and welcoming home for Hedley, their boys Mark and Paul and their many friends. She hosted numerous events where she and Hedley entertained dignitaries, friends and family. Hedley and Ellen retired to Phoenix in 1995, and relocated to Tucson in 2014 to spend more time with their children and grandchildren. Hedley is survived by two sisters, Marion and Myrtle and brother-in-law, George. He was preceded in death by two other sisters, Muriel and Ruth. Ellen is survived by her sisters Pat and Margo and sister-in-law, Barbara. She was preceded in death by her brother Terry. Hedley and Ellen were preceded in death by their beloved baby daughter, Kathryn Ann Burrell. They leave behind two loving sons, Mark and Paul and their wives Bonnie and Laurie. They also leave behind two grandsons, Michael and Matthew, and their granddaughter, Katie (husband Grant). After an especially blessed Around The World lifetime of adventure, Hedley and Ellen passed away within just a month of each other.