Burl Autry

Burl Autry

1933-2011

Burl Autry, age 78, died peacefully Sept. 25, 2011 surrounded by family and friends.

He was born in Wynne Wood, Okla., Jan. 18, 1933, to Minnie and Roy Autry. He moved to Kingfisher, Okla., in 1945, and always considered that his hometown. He graduated from Kingfisher High in 1951. He attended Central State Teacher’s College where, in 1956, he met and married the love of his life, Fredrita (Freddy) Hellar. They celebrated 55 years or marriage this past Aug. 3.

In 1957, the young couple moved to Napa and Burl began his 35-year teaching and coaching career in Napa schools. He taught at Redwood Junior High, Silverado Junior High, Napa High School and Vintage High School. 

In 1972, the year that Vintage High School opened, Burl was named head football coach. He went on to a brilliant 14-year coaching career at Vintage with a 110-43-2 record and eight league titles. He received two major coaching awards during his tenure as coach, and seven times was named MEL Coach of the Year. Burl loved the sport, but even more he loved the young men he coached. He always said he bled burgundy and gold and remained a loyal Vintage booster to the end.

Survivors include his wife, Freddy; daughters, Marla Autry and Grace Wraa (Dave); and grandchildren, Alan Autry (Elizabeth), Ashley, Courtney and Matthew Wraa. He is also survived by his sister, Margie Hendricks of Texas; his brother-in-law, Dean Stahr of Napa; sister and brother-in-law, Phyllis and Russell Brown of Oklahoma; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents; his brother, Brett Autry; and grandson, Dustin Wraa.

Friends and family are invited to a memorial Service on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2011, at 1 p.m., at the Vintage High School Gymnasium. Memories and words of sympathy may be shared with his family online at claffeyandrota.com. Arrangements were made through Claffey and Rota Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in his memory to “The Burl Autry Football Scholarship” at Vintage High School, 1375 Trower Ave., Napa, CA 94558.