Clarksville, TN – David Daniel (Dan) Burden passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, October 7th, 2025 at the age of 89.
Dan, also known as “Coach” and “Cotton”, was born on April 24th, 1936 in Leighton, Alabama to Benjamin and Lillian. He spent his younger years picking cotton with his family and exploring the fields, creeks, and woods with his siblings, cousins, and beloved dog, Rusty.
With an inquisitive mind, always eager to learn, Dan headed off to college, first to Northeast Mississippi Junior College then Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, where he graduated with a Math degree. He played football throughout his undergraduate college career; some may even remember him mysteriously playing under the name “Joe Dillard” for a time.
After getting a master’s degree in mathematics at LSU, he began his 57-year teaching career at Clarksville High School where he met his wife of 55 years, Mary Kay (Lander). He spent the following years teaching, winning math competitions, and coaching football, basketball, and tennis at Clarksville Academy before retiring in 2018. He was ranked number one by the Tennessee Mathematics Teachers Association and proudly taught over 36 state math competition winners.
Dan is widely known for his brilliance, kindness, coaching approach, unique teaching style, and his “Burdenisms”. He is cherished as an educator, coach, mentor, and friend to his former players and students alike, who all meant so much to him and, by his own account, taught him just as much as he taught them.
Although we lost Mary Kay in March of this year, Dan was very fortunate to spend the last few years living with her in Centre, Alabama on peaceful Weiss Lake with their daughter, Amanda, and son-in-law Blake, watching Alabama football, fishing, and spending time with family and neighbors. He also enjoyed the company of caregivers Johnnie, Tameka, and his special fishing buddy, Charity. Dan’s daughter, Ginger, and her husband, Lindsey, visited often from Nashville and always looked forward to stories about cotton, slingshots, arrowheads, and front porch pickin’ with his family and neighbors as a kid.
Dan is preceded in death by his wife, Mary Kay, his parents, Lillian and Benjamin, sister Christine Osborn, and brother Robert. He is survived by daughters Ginger Burden (Lindsey Boise) and Amanda Boozer (Blake Boozer) and son Tim Burden (Tracey Burden). He is also survived by siblings Bobby Burden, Dorothy Faye Burden, Doris Johnson, and Carol Finch.
Visitation and Celebration of Life will be held in Clarksville, Tennessee. Visitation on October 29th, 4:00pm-6:00pm at McReynolds-Nave & Larson Funeral Home. Celebration of Life on October 30th at Madison Street United Methodist Church. Service will begin at 2:00pm with a visitation beforehand at 1:00pm. The family will have a private burial afterwards.
Pallbearers will be Blake Boozer, Lindsey Boise, Kurt Kujawa, Deno Devers, Wesley Burden, and Ben Finch. Leeon “Bull” Smith, Blakey Bradley, and Giorgio Guzzetta will be honorary pallbearers.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider making a donation to the Clarksville Academy “Dan Burden Mathematics Scholarship”, to be awarded yearly to a graduating senior who is an exceptional math student. You may send your donation to Clarksville Academy at 710 North Second Street, Clarksville, TN 37040 or donate online using this link www.clarksvilleacademy.com/dan-burden-mathematic-scholarship/
About McReynolds-Nave and Larson Funeral
Serving the families of greater Montgomery and Houston county areas
For more than 100 years, McReynolds-Nave & Larson Funeral Home in Clarksville, TN, has been serving the families of greater Montgomery County and Houston County. We are one of the many funeral homes in Clarksville, TN, that understand the importance of offering quality services. From start to finish, your family can trust that our caring and knowledgeable staff will be here to assist you every step of the way. We offer affordably priced funeral , cremation , and memorial services that are designed to meet your family’s needs and budget.
With two locations to serve you, our funeral homes in Clarksville, TN, and Erin, TN can help you honor your loved one and say goodbye. Each year, we help hundreds of families in the area say meaningful goodbyes to their departed loved ones.
Our staff is comprised of some of the most experienced, knowledgeable, and caring funeral professionals in the industry. We understand that the loss of a loved one is a difficult time for a family. Our compassionate team will work hard to help you arrange a service that not only celebrates the legacy of your loved one but also provides your family with the closure and goodbye you need. From the first call to long after the service has ended, our team will be here to provide you with the resources and guidance you need.
We pledge to honor your loved one with dignity, respect, and personal attention to every detail. With two beautiful facilities, 24/7 service, and caring and knowledgeable staff, we are confident your family will have peace of mind in knowing that our family will be here for you when you need us.
For more information, visit their website at www.navefuneralhomes.com
