Richard Brent Burford

Richard Brent Burford passed away August 5 in Rochester, NY after a brief illness. He worked in the oil and gas industry, and was employed by Gary A. Monroe and Associates of Fort Smith. He worked in the Corning, NY area during the past year. Brent was a 1995 graduate of Southside High School. He graduated from Western State College in Gunnison, CO in 2001. Brent had many years experience in the beverage alcohol industry, first as an employee of Burford Distributing and most recently as a partner with Lucky's Liquor on Grand Avenue in Fort Smith. He enjoyed music, reading, traveling, and other hobbies. He was a lifelong, avid Razorback fan and a Broyles Matthews Scholarship supporter. He was a member of Immaculate Conception Church and Knights of Columbus. He is survived by his mother; Lynn Owen and her husband Russell "Rusty" Owen of Fort Smith, one sister; Katy Buck, and her husband, John of Rogers, Ark., one niece; Lily Buck of Rogers, Ark., one brother; Lance Owen of Berkeley, Calif., his paternal grandmother; Catherine Burford of Fort Smith, and his maternal grandparents; Jack and Janie Freeze of Fort Smith. He was preceded in death by his father; Ric Burford, his grandfather; Richard Burford, and his great-grandfather; Bill Hendricks. Rosary will be said at 7 p.m., Thursday, August 11, 2011, at Edwards Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral Mass will be 10 a.m., Friday, August 12, 2011 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, with burial at Calvary Cemetery, under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home. Pallbearers will be: Jeremy Simpson, Chris Leeper, Jason Crook, Joel Webb, David Pearce, A.J. Scallon, A.J. Cook, and Scott Powell. Memorials may be sent to; Sebastian County Humane Society, 3800 Kelley Hwy., Fort Smith, Ark. 72904, or Strong Memorial Hospital, 300 E. River Road, Box 278996, Rochester, N.Y. 14627. Online condolences may be sent to www.edwardsfuneralhome.com