Danny "Ray" Burleson, 71, of Barnardsville, NC was welcomed into heaven on Wednesday, October 28, 2026. He was a lifelong resident of Buncombe County and the son of the late Herman Troy and Irene Lucille Harris Burleson.

Ray was a master electrician and accomplished business owner who successfully founded and operated electrical contracting, infrared thermography, and large-scale grading companies. He had a natural gift for learning and working with his hands, carrying forward the family traditions of farming, construction, and stone masonry. Taught by his father, he shaped, by hand, many beautiful stone walls that stand as lasting expressions of his craftsmanship and the generations of knowledge behind it. Ray took great pride in his work, earning him a reputation not just for his skill, but for the honesty and integrity he brought to every job site.

When Ray wasn't at work, he was happiest outdoors. He loved to go exploring in the woods and never came back empty-handed. He often found gorgeous wildflowers, delicious Morel mushrooms, beautifully rare pieces of wood for his next project, or even sweet baby animals that needed a new home. He cherished quiet moments along the creek bank behind his home talking to God and catching native trout. He made lasting memories with family and friends fishing everywhere from local mountain lakes to the ocean off the Kona Coast of Hawaii. A crack shot with a steady aim, Ray had an uncanny knack for finding the bull's-eye and breaking clays. He couldn't wait to hunt deer and wild boar each fall, and he always enjoyed meals made with the meat he was proud to bring home.

Music was a cherished part of Ray's life and faith. He grew up singing gospel music alongside his parents in the True Gospel Quartet, sharing in song the Christian values they lived out everyday. Ray could sing any voice part from lead to bass. He was blessed with the ability to pick out harmonies by ear and could sing along with whatever song he heard playing. His voice made the miles more joyful, filling ordinary car rides with memories and Biblical truth his family will remember and treasure forever.

Ray's truest calling was helping people and loving others unconditionally. He lived his life with a selfless heart, always putting the needs of friends, neighbors, and even strangers before his own. If something was broken, someone was stuck, or a helping hand was needed, Ray would be the first to show up, grinning ear to ear, hauling every tool you might or might not need. Truth be told, Ray never really met a stranger. He could strike up a conversation with anyone and, before long, someone he'd just met felt like an old friend. Known for his storytelling, Ray loved to entertain everyone with tales of his childhood shenanigans, hair-raising adventures on the job site, and treasured moments spent with his family and friends.

Ray was a man who built things to last, and the life he created and shared with his high school sweetheart was no exception. During their 52 years of marriage, Ray and his wife, Jan, raised a family, shared everyday joys, and faced the hard days together and head-on. Ray leaves behind a family who knew they were loved, friends who knew they could count on him, and an example of faith that showed up and went to work. His life spoke louder than words ever could, and it is an honor for his friends and family to carry that legacy forward.

Ray is survived by his wife of 52 years, Janet Smith Burleson; daughter, April McTaggart (Mike); son, Loren Ray Burleson; brother, Roger Burleson (Judy); brother-in-law, William "Chuck" Smith (Tracie); granddaughters, Kendall, Camryn, and Camille McTaggart; beloved nieces and nephews; and grand dogs, Boone, Ellie, Sammy, Grace, and Oakley.

A funeral service will be held at Brookstone Church in Weaverville, NC on Thursday, November 5, 2026, at 1:30 pm. A private burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery.

The family will receive friends between noon and 1:30 pm at the church.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blueridgefuneralservice.org <http://www.blueridgefuneralservice.org>

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