James O. Burks

JAMES O. BURKS of Jacksonville, Ark., passed away on Aug. 29, 2010 at the age of 85. He was born Oct. 31, 1924, at Hot Springs, Ark., to Charlie R. and Etta Elizabeth Burks. He married Mary Louise Swenson on April 17, 1953. J.O. was preceded in death by his parents and his loving wife of 53 years, Mary Louise Burks. He is survived by four sisters and one brother and their spouses, Burla Love, of Hot Springs, Evelyn Johnson, of Benton, Dorothy Newport and husband Ron, of Jacksonville, Marie Kidd, of Jacksonville, and Charles Burks and wife Gail, of Benton. His memory is cherished by four sons and a daughter and their spouses, Robert Burks and wife Sandy, of Conway, Dr. Ronald Burks and wife Debbie, of Lonoke, Richard Burks and wife Pat, of Cabot, Christopher Jones and wife Terry, of Cabot, and Susan McCormick and husband Captain (USN) Sam McCormick, of Virginia Beach, Va. He will be greatly missed by other close family members including a number of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and a special friend, Marianne Young. As a young man, J.O. joined the U.S. Navy during WWII. He then served as a Douglas SP2 Helldiver tail gunner in the Pacific Theater. Later in his military career, a very patriotic man, J.O. joined the U.S. Army Air Corps (USAF). J.O. retired from the Air Force as a Senior Master Sergeant. At this point J.O. continued to serve his country as a civil servant. J.O. worked as a letter carrier for 22 years in the U.S. Postal Service; he retired from the USPS in 1990. In addition to his military and civil service, J.O. was also a Mason. J.O. was a devoted father who always spent his weekends with his family, or sharing individual activities with his children. He and Mary spent countless weekends with their children and grandchildren on Greers Ferry Lake. He loved to be on the lake with his family, water skiing, fishing or swimming. He also loved gardening and working in his yard. He will be greatly missed, not only by his immediate family, but also by his extended family and friends. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2010 in the chapel of Moore's Jacksonville Funeral Home (501) 982-2136 with Rev. Richard Lancaster officiating. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday. Please sign the online guest book at www.mooresjacksonvillefuneralhome.com.