Carl F. Bury

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Celebrating the life of
Carl F. BuryJanuary 09, 1932 - May 31, 2013

Savannah – Carl F. Bury died peacefully on May 31, 2013, at his home. He was born in New Eagle, Pennsylvania, January 9, 1932, and moved around the country in his early years with his family as his father followed job opportunities in high steel construction. He graduated from the Hamburg, NY High School in 1949, and attended the New York Technical Institute in Alfred, NY, for two years. During his summers off from high school and college, he worked in a brickyard by day and a steel mill at night, learning what he did not want to do for the rest of his life. In his off hours, he pursued the attention of his future wife, Marion, who he married in 1952.
He joined the Army in 1951, graduating from Artillery OCS at Ft Sill, Oklahoma, and serving in Germany until his release from active duty. Carl completed college at Oklahoma University in Norman, Oklahoma, with a BA in Marketing in 1955 after returning from the Army.
Carl joined Kaiser Aluminum in 1955 in Chicago in Industrial Sales. He spent his business career in the aluminum industry with Kaiser Aluminum; Magnode Products; Alloys and Chemicals, Cleveland; and finally as President of the CF Bury Co. until his retirement to Savannah and The Landings.
Carl enjoyed golf, fly fishing, baseball, travel and reading, but his particular passion aside from ice cream and perfect manhattans was flying. He began his flying lessons in 1968, and ultimately earned his commercial pilot certificate and an instrument rating. He flew throughout the country for business and pleasure, first in a Cessna 206 and later in a Cessna 210, and excelled in aerobatic flying. He founded Five B Aviation as a distributor of the Pitts Special aerobatic aircraft. He was a member of The Quiet Birdmen, Akron Hanger, and the Tiger Club, England, and was a life member of the Experimental Aircraft Association. He was Vice President and then President of the EAA's International Aerobatic Club for a total of five years during the late 1970s and early 1980s, when he helped to make it the pre-eminent aerobatic organization in the United States. Carl also served as the EAA's Corporate Secretary for a number of years and was on EAA Boards for 23 years, retiring as Director Emeritus in 2008.
His interest in aviation transformed his life and the lives of his family. Flying was more than a hobby; it was the activity that bound the family together. His passion for flying inspired each of his sons to pursue carriers in aviation.
Carl was a self-starter with boundless energy and a stellar work ethic. Once he set his mind on a task, he accomplished it; he never made excuses. He had a great sense of humor and was always ready with a good story. He was loyal to his many friends across the country and around the world, and above all else he loved his family.
He is survived by his wife Sharon Singstock Bury; son Mark W Bury and grandchildren Matthew and Nicholas of Montgomery Village, Maryland; grandchildren Nathan and Amelia Bury of Beavercreek, Ohio; and C. Buddy Bury, Esq., his beloved Westie woof. Carl was predeceased by wife Marion Burley and sons Carl David Bury and Eric Ralph Bury, parents Carl and Anna Roberts Bury, and sister Virginia Kennedy Bury.
Memorial Service will be at the Skidaway Island United Methodist Church on June 15 at 11:00 AM.
Remembrances to the Skidaway Island United Methodist Church Music Ministry; Hospice Savannah; and the Humane Society of Greater Savannah.
Please sign our on-line guest book at www.foxandweeks.com

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I just heard of Carl's passing. I just wanted to express my sympathies to the entire Bury family. I enjoyed working with Carl during my years and EAA.

- Pam Martin, Redgranite, WI

I had the privilege of knowing Carl and Marion and their three sons and learned to know them well through many hours together in various cockpits. Carl's interest in aerobatic flying was probably related to my own and I was privileged to be able to fly Pitts airplanes when he started the local IAC chapter and became a Pitts dealer. The family became an important part of my life for many years. My sincere condolences to Sharon and Mark and his family on the passing of this distinguished man.

- Will Hubin, Kent, OH

Please accept our heartfelt sympathies, on the loss of Carl. He was an accomplished, generous, and happy man. We won't forget his stories,engaging laugh and love of family. I'm sure the aerobats and woodworkers in heaven have welcomed him with glee. Richard & Barbara Davis

- Barbara Presley-Davis, Savannah, GA

Carl lived his life with true gusto! Meeting you both for the one and only time in our lives was a true treat. He shared the highs and lows of his life with us with generosity and tenderness. I wish we'd gotten acquainted sooner. Sharon, may God be your close companion as you walk through the coming days.

- Marie Champ, Canby, OR

We were saddened to hear of Carl's passing. Our sympathies go out to his entire family.

- Bruce & Barbara Singstock, Oshkosh, WI

My heart goes out to you in your sorrow, Sharon, Mark and family. Carl was a special person...always warm and kind... I am deeply sorry for your loss. Thinking of you with love, Ursula

- Ursula Sterling, Savannah, GA

Dear Sharon, My thoughts and prayers are with you, and have been with you, since I heard that your husband passed away.

- Mary Abraham LeBelle, Oshkosh, WI

I have many great memories of the time I spent with Carl while serving as a member of the EAA Board of Directors. He was and always will be one of my best memories.

- Billy M. Henderson, Lakeland, FL

Carl was a wonderful man and a great friend. To know people of Carl's caliber is one of the great pleasures of life.

- Louie and Sue Andrew, Fond du Lac, WI

Your wisdom, humor and friendship will live on in our memory all the days of our lives!

- Fred and Barbara Telling, Port Orange, FL

Carl was a mainstay and a great asset to Aviation. He will be sorely missed! 'Buck' Hilbert EAA 21, A/C 5.

- , Union, IL

Carl Burry personified the word Gentleman...and a man with incredible breadth of interests and knowledge...a sage businessman and a good friend....Be safe in you next adventure

- David Pasahow, Dallas, TX

My sincerest condolences. I met Carl in the late 1970s as a part of our involvement in aerobatic competition and IAC. He impressed me deeply as a real dynamic man who knew how to get things done. Later he called me and asked me in 1979 to serve as his Vice President in the Club. It was a pleasure. We worked together for years after that and it was a wonderful experience. We often talked at Oshkosh during meetings and caught up. We will miss him.

- Mike Heuer, Collierville, TN

We are so sorry hearing of Carl's passing. He was a good man who always had a cheery smile and positive outlook on things. In the early days of Sun 'n Fun Fly-In, he offered great advice and volunteered his time. He was a good teacher and shared his love of flying. For several years he taught the AOPA Pinch Hitter Course at the Ladies Pavilion. Sun 'n Fun is better today for his contributions. Our sincere condolences to his family.

- Suzy & Bill Eickhoff, Lakeland, FL

What a wonderful life you shared with Carl, much love to you and comfort from our Lord Jesus. Love, John & BJ Prior

- BJ Prior, Ft. Worth, TX