John J. Burdin, Jr. was born 20 September 1913 in St. Martinville, Louisiana, the son of John J. Burdin, Sr. and Adeline Thomas Burdin. He attended the Southwestern Louisiana Institute and Tulane University, where he received his medical degree in 1935. He married Helen Broussard and they had three daughters and one son. He died on 9 February 1990 at the age of 76, and is buried at the St. Martin de Tours Catholic Cemetery.

Dr. Burdin. was a physician in Lafayette Parish. He practiced general medicine from 1935 to 1942. He was a flight surgeon and captain of the Army Air Corps during WWII. After the war he went back to Tulane University to complete a specialty residency in eyes, ears, nose, and throat. He practiced in Lafayette, Louisiana for 54 years until his death.

Dr. Burdin was a charter member and only chairman of the board of the American Bank and Trust Company. He also was a charter member of Lafayette General Hospital, where he served as chairman of the board 1937-1981 and president of the board 1981-1990. In 1989, he was honored by the Board of Trustees of Lafayette General Hospital alongside with his longtime friend Joseph Riehl, The Burdin-Riehl Health Center is named after them.

He was a member of the Lafayette Parish Medical Society, serving as president in 1964. He was also active in many civic and professional societies. In 1965, he served as King Gabriel XXVI during Mardi Gras.