City leaders say they were saddened to hear of the death of the man who co-wrote “Okie from Muskogee.”

Roy Edward “Eddie” Burris, 79, died Tuesday of heart-related problems at a Tulsa hospital, said Burris’ wife, Susie Burris.

Eddie Burris and Merle Haggard said in previous interviews that they created the tune in 1969 while on a tour bus heading to a performance in Muskogee. Haggard saw a sign that said “Muskogee — 17 miles” and woke up Burris, the drummer in Haggard’s band, The Strangers, and the two wrote the song in 15 minutes.

Penny Kampf, executive director of the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame, said the song Haggard and Burris wrote brought global attention to a small city in Oklahoma.

“People from all over the world know that song,” Kampf said. “Those two men getting together and writing that song has had a huge impact on our city. It was really sad to hear Eddie passed away.”

Kampf said the song continues to draw visitors here, more than 40 years after it was written.

“On a day-to-day basis, people walk into the hall of fame and ask about Merle Haggard and ‘Okie from Muskogee,’” she said. “There’s a story that our Facility Coordinator Ron Boren tells about a couple who came in and couldn’t speak any English. But, a man with the group could sing ‘Okie from Muskogee’ in English.”

Sue Harris, president of the Greater Muskogee Area Chamber of Commerce, said even more attention was directed to Muskogee when Country Music Television named the song one of the 20 greatest city songs. The short time it took to write the tune has had an enduring importance.

“Oh, my goodness, that 15 minutes has gives us so much fame and notoriety around the world,” Harris said. “There are people overseas who know that song. We have really seen a lot of results from it.”

Muskogee Mayor John Tyler Hammons said he believes the Haggard-Burris song speaks about the city’s values.

“That song captures what it means to be an Okie from Muskogee,” Hammons said. “I was in a meeting this morning at the Capitol where I met the lieutenant governor. He smiled at me and said, ‘It’s nice to meet an Okie from Muskogee.’ It’s a great example of where we have been and where we’re going.”

Former Muskogee Mayor Wren Stratton said the spark of inspiration that passed between Burris and Haggard was very fortunate for this city.

“I don’t think they intended for that song to become what it did,” Stratton said. “It was the name of a town that fit the lyrics and rhythm. Love it or hate it, it went worldwide and our name was in the middle of it.”

C.H. Parker, a member of the governor’s board at the OMHOF, said Burris was at the hall of fame’s first induction ceremony in 1997.

“Governor Frank Keating was there and presented Eddie with an award,” Parker said. “Merle came on stage and did a presentational as well. Eddie was a very nice man.”

According to Stephens Memorial Chapel in Pryor, Burris was born Oct. 27, 1931 in Tulsa. He had lived in Pryor for about the last two years. He played with Haggard’s band about 10 year and then drove a truck for several years. Burris was a bull rider in his younger years.  He was an avid fisherman, fishing the tournament circuit and was a licensed pilot. He was a member of Pryor Creek Masonic Lodge 100.  

Burris is survived by his wife of 32 years, Susie; three children and a stepson; five grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Stephens Memorial Chapel in Pryor. Services will be at the chapel at 10 a.m. Friday.

Reach Keith Purtell at (918) 684-2925 or kpurtell @muskogeephoenix.com.