Roll Call Tribute

Voris Reagan "Buddy" Burch, Jr. 

February 10, 1930 - July 15, 2024 

Voris Reagan Burch, Jr., known affectionately as Reagan or Buddy, died on July 15, 2024, at the age of 94. Born on February 10, 1930, in Beaumont, Texas, to Voris Reagan Burch and Jessamae Coffey Burch, Reagan spent his formative years in Liberty, Texas.

A dedicated student and leader, Reagan attended Texas A&M University, majoring in business. During his time there, he was active in the R.O.T.C., serving as the commanding officer of the Ross Volunteers and as the Commander of the Aggie Band. He furthered his education at the University of Texas School of Law, where he was inducted into the Order of the Coif and served as editor of the Law Review.

Reagan began his distinguished legal career at Baker Botts in Houston, specializing in labor arbitration, employment law, and trial work. His expertise and dedication led to his promotion to Partner in 1969, and he eventually chaired the firm's Labor and Employment Department. He was an excellent writer and editor, and his colleagues would routinely submit drafts of their legal briefs to him to be "Burched", i.e. edited. After retiring from Baker Botts, Reagan became an American Arbitration Association arbitrator and mediator, where he continued to apply his remarkable legal acumen.

Prior to his legal career, Reagan served his country as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force. He married Charline Schofield with whom he had two children, Melissa and Reagan III. He and Charline were subsequently divorced. In 1978, he married Claudia Ramsland, an attorney in the legal department at Pennzoil, and they remained married until his death. Together, they shared a deep bond of devotion to one another, a love of travel, and enthusiastic participation in many adventures.

Reagan had a great interest in Christian spirituality, and he read and studied extensively. His profound faith in Jesus Christ led him to help establish Houston Presbyterian Cursillo, a weekend devoted to spiritual renewal. Reagan especially loved being on the music team where he enthusiastically played the conga drums, earning the nickname, "Bongo Buddy."

His love of music, literature, and nature defined his leisure time throughout his life. A voracious reader, Reagan favored mysteries and was a well-known patron of Houston's Murder by The Book. He was an avid runner for many years. He enjoyed skiing in Vail and Beaver Creek, floating on the Guadalupe River with the Midland River Authority, and especially hiking all over Rocky Mountain National Park where he spent many summers exploring with family and friends. He loved ice cream and would never refuse a second helping. According to his granddaughter, Amanda, he was always up for trying "funky new places." About the only thing he really disliked was the ocean which he claimed was so cold "It would stop your heart." This might have contributed to his lack of enthusiasm when Claudia took up sailing. He was a snappy dresser, loved dancing, and riding motorcycles (a proud graduate of "Motorcycle College"), and was devoted to Claudia and to his dogs. He maintained close friendships, notably his "Burger Boys" group with whom he met weekly until his declining health made that impossible.

Reagan is survived by his wife, Claudia; his sister, Judith Bailey, and her daughters; his children, Reagan III and Melissa; her husband, John Lively; and his grandchildren, Ryan Lively, Amanda Kaufmann, her husband, J.C., J.D. Lively, his wife, Alisa; and their respective children. He is also survived by his beloved, extended family, including his sister-in-law, Elizabeth Robinson; her husband, Todd, and their children; as well as his brother-in-law, Russell Ramsland Jr.; his wife, Kathy; and their family.

Claudia wishes to acknowledge and especially thank Reagan's devoted caregivers, Claudra Hubbard, Sandra Hicks, Virginia Preston, Mary Meehan, and Desi Ward. Their loving care provided a quality to his life that was a gift to him and to Claudia.

Reagan was a true gentleman-kind, gracious, generous, and self-effacing. He exhibited great integrity and character throughout his life. He was deeply loved and will be sorely missed by all who knew him, especially his extended family and friends.

A Memorial service celebrating Reagan's life will be held on Thursday, August 15, at 11:00 a.m., in the Chapel of Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church, 11612 Memorial Dr., Houston.