Burleigh Ivison Bozant

Retired Master Chief Burleigh Ivison Bozant, 78, of Beeville, Texas, passed away on August 7, 2025. He was born in Houston, Texas, on October 12, 1946, to Burleigh Albert Bozant and Iris Evelyn (Handley) Bozant.

A 1965 graduate of Spring High School, Burleigh played football and later attended Blinn Junior College before joining the United States Navy, where he served 27 years and rose to the rank of Master Chief Petty Officer. He served in both Vietnam and the Persian Gulf war. He was stationed in Vietnam for an entire year and served boots on ground. 

CITATION; REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM GALLANTRY

MERITORIOUS UNIT COMMENDATION; REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM CIVIL ACTIONS UNIT

CROSS

UNIT CITATION COLOR W/PALM; SOUTHWEST ASIA

SERVICE

MEDAL W/2 STARS; KUWAIT LIBERATION MEDAL W/PALM; NAVY PISTOL EXPERT SHOT MEDAL;

NAVY RIFLE EXPERT SHOT MEDAL;

ENLISTED SURFACE WARFARE SPECIALIST DESIGNATION

EFFECTIVE DATE OF PERMANENT TRANSFER TO FLEET RESERVE STATUS:

94MAR31

He married Carol Louise Glick in 1969, and together they raised three children: Robert, Christopher, and Bridgette. After retiring from the Navy in 1994, Burleigh settled in Charleston, South Carolina, and later moved to Beeville, Texas, in 2017. He loved hunting, fishing, and reloading ammunition. He was a remarkable storyteller when it came to sharing his adventures and experiences of the navy and was very animated when talking about hunting and fishing. 

Burleigh is survived by his wife Ruth Bozant; son Robert (Shrisse) Bozant; daughter Bridgette Auzston; and grandchildren Emily Bozant, Caleb Bozant, Brittany Auzston and Beau Auzston; his brother Edward (Rosemary) Bozant and numerous cousins.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Carol Louise Bozant, and his son Christopher Bozant. 

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, October 10, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Oak Park Funeral Home in Beeville, Texas.

Fair winds and following seas, Master Chief.

OAK PARK MEMORIAL FUNERAL CHAPEL

BEEVILLE, TEXAS

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Burleigh Ivison Bozant, please visit our floral store.