Charles Clyde Burks

It is with heavy hearts that the family of Charles Clyde Burks announces his passing on December 2nd, 2023 at his residence in Hallsville, Texas surrounded by his loving family. Charles was born on January 31st, 1934 in Skiatook, Oklahoma to Dennis Clyde and Vera Nell. Charles completed 8th grade before leaving school to help care for his grandparents. He served in the National Guard (1950) and Air Force (1951-1953). He was a Korean War veteran and received the National Defense Service Medal. On July 23rd, 1962, he married Alta Louise Haggard in Reno, Nevada. Together they shared 45 years, 2 months, and 21 days of marriage before she preceded him in death. Charles worked various jobs including military, oil field, bouncer and bartender, Johns Manville Paper Mill, California Union construction worker (where he took part in building Interstate 5 and one of the bridges in Sacramento), Rancho Seco Nuclear Powerplant, a self-employed carpenter, and at the UniCal Oil Refinery before retiring in 2004. Charles was a member of the Cherokee Indian tribe and a McCoy descendant, of the Hatfield and McCoy feud. He was an elder in his church and an active member of the community. In his younger days, he played fast-pitch softball and basketball (even having the opportunity to play against the Harlem Globetrotters once). While serving in the Air Force, he was an avid boxer. His hobbies included coaching fast-pitch softball, watching his children and grandchildren play sports, traveling and driving long distances, camping with his family, watching John Wayne Westerns, working with his hands, and cooking - as well as dancing and whistling tunes nearly all the time. Charles was a protector who always fought for justice - standing up for what was right even at his own expense, he was a gentleman who treated women with the highest regard; he loved children (his own or any other) spoiling them whenever he could; he had a massive sense of humor that stayed with him until his last days; he had a nurturing heart that guided many people around him with love and a firm hand. He was known as Dad, Grandpa, Uncle Chuck, or Brother Chuck to everyone - touching and changing the lives of those around him; His style was timeless - as if he stepped out of the 1950s with his plaid shirts and Levi's, short hair and clean-shaven face. Charles is survived by his three sons: Steve, Bill, and Geno; five daughters: Levitta, Tammie, Sharon, Mollie, and Trina and their spouses; 21 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild. He is preceded in death by his wife Alta Louise, father Dennis Clyde, mother Vera Nell, sister Edna Geraldine, brother Jackie Dan; daughter Regina Lynn; and grandsons Jacob Edward and Christopher Downes. The funeral service will be held at Family Life Outreach Center on Victory Drive in Marshall, TX on December 9th at 10 AM. The family would like to thank Longview Regional Medical Center & Heartsway Hospice for providing exceptional care during this difficult time as well as special thanks to Hospice Nurse Larry & Aid Miss Carolyn for taking care of Charles like he was their own father and CVMA Riders for providing escort services for our Dad & Grandfather. We are grateful for all those who came out to honor our Dad and Grandfather's life. We will miss Charles dearly but know that he is finally at peace after hankering to go home for so long.