Lester Burks January 20, 1936 – February 22, 2019 Share this obituary Sign Guestbook| Send Sympathy Card Funeral services for Lester Burks, 93, of Willis, formerly of Lufkin, will be held Monday, February 25, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. at Denman Avenue Baptist Church in Lufkin with Brother Charles M. Roberts and Brother Keith Nash officiating. Interment with military honors will follow in the Garden of Memories Memorial Park. Mr. Burks was born January 20, 1926 in Conroe, Texas, the son of the late Sudie (Richards) and Richard Burks.
He died Friday, February 22, 2019 in a Montgomery County hospice facility. Lester is a graduate of the Latexo High School in Texas where he was class Valedictorian in 1944. Soon after graduation, he volunteered for the United States Army where he served as a paratrooper in the 17th Airborne Division, Company B, 513 Parachute Infantry.
He saw action in France and Germany during World War II. Lester was awarded the Bronze Star for his actions on March 25, 1945 in Germany. Mr. Burks received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Sam Houston State Teachers College.
He spent 37 years in public school and community college education. Lester taught in several school districts in Texas, ending as the Principal of Roosevelt-Wilson Elementary School in Texas City. He also served in the Texas City School’s administration office.
Lester enjoyed serving as Dean of Vocational-Technical Education in the early stages of College of the Mainland in Texas City and North Harris County College. He was the third person hired for the school’s beginning and retired as founding president of Kingwood College. In retirement, Lester and Nellie enjoyed traveling in their RV, serving with their Christian Builder friends throughout the United States.
They had resided in Willis since 2014, and previously lived 22 years in Lufkin. He was currently a member of First Baptist Conroe and a former member of Denman Avenue Baptist Church in Lufkin. Survivors include his wife, Nellie Woolley Burks of Willis; daughter and son-in-law, Janine and Jon Crenshaw of Willis; son and daughter-in-law, Richard and Cheryl Burks of Artesia, New Mexico; grandchildren and spouses, Jeff and Dana Crenshaw, Joel and Kari Crenshaw, all of Spring, Brandon and Amy Burks of New Llano, Louisiana, Bradley Burks of Roswell, New Mexico, KayAnne and Jonathan Gray of Artesia, New Mexico; twenty great grandchildren which includes Molly Tyler, who adopted “Mr. Lester” as her grandfather after the death of her grandfather, Delbert Williford; brother and sister-in-law, Larry and Libby Burks of Plano; sister and brother-in-law, Richie and Bob Hanes of Snellville, Georgia; sister, Cherry Burks of Cleveland, Texas; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Mr. Burks was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Rev. Norman Burks; sister, Ruth Grimes; and stepmother, Mattie Newsom Burks. Pallbearers will be Jeff Crenshaw, Joel Crenshaw, Brandon Burks, Bradley Burks, Steffan Lowery, and Rick Burks.
Memorial contributions may be made to Volunteer Christian Builders at www. vcbuilders.org (select “donate” and reference “Lester Burks”) or to The Gideons International, Lufkin Camp West, P.O. Box 1831, Lufkin, Texas 75902. The family will receive friends and loved ones from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Sunday evening at the funeral home.
Memories and condolences may be added at www. carrowayfuneralhome.com.
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