Wendell Burton

Wendell Ray Burton, 69, went to be with the Lord in Houston, Texas on May 30, 2017 after a courageous battle with brain Cancer. Wendell was born on July 21, 1947 in San Antonio, Texas, son of an Air Force sergeant who died in service when Wendell was five. He moved to Wichita Falls and later California with his family where he later attended Sonoma State College and University of San Francisco landing the lead role in a San Francisco Stage production of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. Wendell became a recognized actor when he was discovered by Alan J. Pakula, 3 time Oscar nominated writer, producer, and director known for films such as To Kill a Mockingbird and Sophie's Choice. Pakula cast Wendell in the 1969 hit The Sterile Cuckoo, opposite Liza Minelli. The film was a success and Minelli garnered her first Academy award nomination. Wendell's acting career included many other film and stage productions such as Go Ask Alice (opposite William Shatner), Red Badge of Courage (Richard Thomas), and Heat (with Burt Reynolds). He appeared in other television shows such as Kung Fu and the New Dick Van Dyke Show. It was at the height of his success, that Wendell began to question the meaning of life and became interested in several religious and philosophical disciplines, traveling to the Far East meeting with various holy men. After much soul searching which he chronicled in his 2016 book, Godsmacked: A Souljourner's Guide to the Heart of God, he ultimately returned to his spiritual roots and became a born-again Christian. He began writing and performing Christian music and recorded numerous albums (downloads can be found at wendellburton.com) Wendell continued his work as a television executive in ad sales for The Family Channel. In 1997, Joel Osteen offered him the job of Program Director and National Sales manager for the Lakewood Church start-up station KTBU in Houston, Texas. He stayed with KTBU until 2001, when he took a position as an associate pastor with Osteen's Lakewood Church. For the duration of his time at Lakewood Church Wendell served as Creative Arts Director and the Senior Director of the Champions Network - a national network of churches affiliated with Lakewood Church. Wendell passed away peacefully at his Houston home with his wife Linda by his side. He is also survived by his daughter, Haven, and son, Adam, his grandson, Hudson, his son-in-law, Denny, as well as his sister, Hazel and brother, Kenny. Memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 17 at 11a at Lakewood Church. Donations can be made in place of flowers to: Memorial Hermann Foundation ATTN: Mischer Neuroscience Institute, Brain Tumor Research 929 Gessner, Suite 2650 Houston, TX 77024

Service Information

June 17, 2017 11:00am, Lakewood Church