He was a retired logging contractor, a cattle rancher and owned Mini-Warehouse Storage Units in Crossett. He served on the board of Commercial Bank and Trust Company, was a founding member of the Arkansas Timber Producers Association and was a longtime member of the Wilmar City Council and Wilmar School Board. He was a U.S. Army Veteran, a member and trustee of Wilmar United Methodist Church and a member of the Creed Hunting Club.
Survivors include his wife, of 58 years, Shirley McKinstry Burks; a son, J.R. Burks and wife, Fran, of Crossett; a daughter, Beverly Burks of Wilmar; two sisters, Betty Fuqua of Wilmar and Pauline Martin of Dallas, TX; two granddaughters, Shelley Lewis and husband, Andy, of Wilmar and Rachel Burks of Little Rock; and two great-granddaughters, Sadie Lewis and Anna Lewis, both of Wilmar.
Condolences(17)
Janis Burt Smith
Malvern, AR Friday, November 13, 2009 I am so sorry for your loss. I know he will be deeply missed. Just know my prayers are with you at this difficult time.Carole (Doss-Johns) Rushing
Rison, AR Wednesday, November 11, 2009 Shirley, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Since I have known you and James most of my life and lived as neighbors for a while, it's rather like family to me. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers now and in the difficult days ahead. I know that words are so inadequate at a time like this but know that I will be keeping you lifted up in prayer. Your know our Lord is all sufficient and may you rest in his peace and comfort. Love, CaroleRick Young
Denver, CO Wednesday, November 11, 2009 My thoughts are with you Shirley, Randy and Beverly. When I was growing up in Wilmar Mr. Burks used a phrase"Ned in the first reader could do it better than that" I have used that saying many times in my life with friends and coworkers and credited the source. He always used the phrase in reference to something Randy and I were trying to accomplish and usually missing our mark. When our club house that was located in the field behind his house burned to the ground, he was kind enough to let us set up our clubhouse on some other property he owned. As a teenager we would swim in one of his ponds. He owned a Nash "Metropolitan" that Randy and I would crank up and go for rides. These are fond memories of your family, James Hubert and the Lazy J ranch. Peace be with you all.Margo & Eddie Coleman
Florence, MS Wednesday, November 11, 2009 Our thoughts and prayers are with Mrs. Shirley, Beverly, and the whole family. Mr. James was a great friend to our family and we have many special memories. Know that we are thinking of you during this difficult time. We love you.Berlie Bess
Springfield, AR Wednesday, November 11, 2009 Our prayers go out to you and family members, Kathy and i really enjoyed time spent with James and Shirley at our ATPA meetings, We will truely miss him and keep you'll in our prayers!!Berlie & Kathy Bess
Marcia McKinstry Watkins
Little Rock, AR Wednesday, November 11, 2009 I'm so sorry to hear of Uncle James' passing. I know he will be missed by many. Thoughts are with the family as you go through this difficult tme.Don & Willie Wright
Mountain Pine, AR Wednesday, November 11, 2009 We always enjoyed visiting with James at the ATPA meetings . He was an entertaining fellow .Love ya Shirley ...
David & Cindy Wheless
Crossett, AR Wednesday, November 11, 2009 Mrs Burks and family, We are so sorry for your loss. We wanted you to know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. God bless you and keep you all.Ruth Kulbeth Hunter
Wilmar, AR Wednesday, November 11, 2009 I am so sorry to hear about James H.. We all on this street will miss him driving by every day..Larry Boccarossa
Little Rock, AR Wednesday, November 11, 2009 I am truly sorry to hear of the passing of Mr. Burks. I always enjoyed being with Mr. Burks at our Arkansas Timber Producers Association (ATPA) meetings. His incite along with 8 other South Arkansas logging contractors to organize the ATPA is a tribute to him and indicative of his care and concern for Arkansas' logging contractors. We all will miss him.Larry
Art and Susanne Lewis
Orange, TX Wednesday, November 11, 2009 We are so very saddened for your loss. Our hearts grieve for you and you will all be in our thoughts and prayers.Ann Lloyd
Dermott, AR Tuesday, November 10, 2009 Shirley and Beverly I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.tede &shane price
kansas city, MO Tuesday, November 10, 2009 Shirley and Beverly, my thoughts are with you and the rest of your family. James was so sweet. I know he will be missed just remember all the good times you had with him. I'm sending a big hug to you both. Love you and just know you will be in prayers.Tede
Tonya Farmer
Seattle, WA Tuesday, November 10, 2009 May peace be with your family; you are all in my thoughts.Lily Hughes Shields
Clyde, NC Tuesday, November 10, 2009 My prayers are with the family. May God bless you. My mother, Betty Rawls Hughes, spoke very highly of the family.LOLLY COTHAM
WILMAR, AR Tuesday, November 10, 2009 So sorry for your loss. What a grand legacy he has left behind in Randy and Beverly. I loved, respected and admired James almost as much as I did Mr. Long. This is truly a sad day. Please know my thoughts and prayers are with you. James will be missed, not only by you, but by a multitude of friends of all ages and colors.Boyd Savage
Hamburg, AR Monday, November 9, 2009 I am so sorry to hear about James.I loved being his pastor and enjoyed being his friend. Please know that you are in my prayers. Love YaBro. Boyd