James Llewllyn Burroughs III

May 15th, 1934 – August 19th, 2011

James, or Jim to his friends, was born in Jacksonville, Florida to James Llewllyn Burroughs Jr. and Josephine Goodknight-Burroughs.  While in grade school, his family moved to Miami Florida. Jim graduated from Miami High School and then enlisted in the US Army.

Jim joined the US Army at the age of 19 and served 3 years as a Personnel Specialist.  When he was discharged to Army Reserves in 1955 he entered the banking profession and was later hired as a finance specialist for Cessna Aircraft Corporation.

Jim progressed quickly in Cessna Finance and was send to the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Jim received his Bachelor of Science in Aviation Management in 1977.  During this period, Jim was inducted into the Omicron Delta Kappa Society.  Jim also earned his commercial pilot’s license as he was required to fly the aircraft that he financed to the corporations customers.

Shortly after his graduation, Jim was transferred to the Southern California Branch of the Cessna Finance Corporation.  Jim eventually settled in Long Beach and called Long Beach his home until his death.

Jim quickly became involved in the motorcycling community and became a member of the Oedipus Motorcycle Club, the second oldest gay organization, in 1987.  While serving many officer positions in the club, Jim also became active in the community at large as a member and coordinator of the motorcycle safety crews for several of the Avon Breast Cancer Walks and San Francisco to Los Angeles AIDS Rides.

In 2008 Jim and his partner Howard became involved in Out & About Long Beach.  The Out & About group is a charity fundraising organization that benefits many local Long Beach organizations that provide health, education, senior and community arts programs much needed funding.  Jim was an Associate Board Member of the organization and offered his home on many occasions for fund raising activities.

Jim passed away on Friday, August 19th in his home with his partner of 10 years, Howard Ferguson, at his side.  Jim was diagnosed with a cancer about 1 year ago which only recently began to grow rapidly and claim his life.  Under the care and guidance of TrinityCare Hospice, Jim was comfortable and pain free during his last few days.

Jim is survived by his partner, Howard Ferguson and hundreds of his friends in the Out & About Long Beach Organization, Oedipus Motorcycle Club and the local Long Beach community that he loved.

There will be a Celebration of Life for Jim on Sunday, August 28th, beginning at 3PM at Pistons Bar located at 2020 Artesia Blvd in Long Beach (Cherry & Artesia).