Ray Burt

View Video Tribute View Funeral Webcast Ray Burt, 81, well-known photographer, died Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at Vanderbilt University Medical Center as a result from injuries sustained in a recent fall. Funeral services will be conducted Sunday at 2:00 p.m. at Oakes & Nichols with Jeremy Butt officiating. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery with military honors provided by Herbert Griffin American Legion Post #19. The family will visit with friends Saturday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Notes of sympathy may be sent to www.oakesandnichols.com. Born in Alabama, he was the son of the late Thomas J. Burt and Elsie Ussery Burt and a 1948 graduate of Columbia Central High School. During the Korean War, he served in the Tennessee Army National Guard as a 2nd Lieutenant. He first became associated with Mr. W. A. Orman at age 17 in 1948 when his photo shop was located in the basement of the Bethel Hotel. After several years he became a partner and in the mid-1970s purchased Orman's Photo Shop which he and owned and operated until his death. Mr. Burt received numerous awards for his photography over the years, including the prestigious Caldecott Award. He was a member and former President of the Tennessee Photographers Association. He was also a long-time member and past President of the Columbia Noon Rotary Club and honored as a Paul Harris Fellow; The Wagon Wheelers; and attended the West 7th Street Church of Christ. Mr. Burt loved the outdoors, was an avid fisherman since childhood, and enjoyed tending to his garden. Survivors include his wife, Lee Harris Burt, whom he married June 6, 1953; son, Scott Burt of Columbia; brother, Tom (Joy) Burt of Columbia; niece, Gina Logue of Shelbyville; nephews, Steve (Sylvia) Burt of Columbia, Danny (Melanie) Burt of Lynnville, Ricky (Susan) Burt of Alabama, and Bill (Kim) Logue of Shelbyville; special friend, Martha (Roy) Cathey of Columbia; sisters-in-law, Deannie Harris Logue of Shelbyville and Jean Carolyn Walker Burt of Columbia; several great-nieces and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by brothers, Wallace Burt and James Burt. Active pallbearers include Roy Cathey, Steve Burt, Danny Burt, Bill Logue, Ricky Burt, and David Greenfield. Members of the Noon Rotary Club will serve as honorary pallbearers.