Burks

James Paul Burks, 78, was born at home in the Brachfield community on Jan. 19, 1937. He went to celebrate Jesus’ birthday with Him on Friday, Dec. 25, 2015. His final days on earth were spent with us at the Hospice of East Texas in Tyler. James fought a brief, known battle with cancer, knowing what he faced. His childhood years were spent attending the Patrick School, helping with the dairy and country store his parents owned. When the school closed, he went on to graduate at Henderson High School, Kilgore College, and Letourneau College. He worked as a machinist at Merritt Tools in Kilgore, and in Houston. Twerlve years later he moved back to the Brachfield community, where he began raising Fleckwich Simmental and Brahmon cattle on his farm. He also began remodeling homes and building barns. He was well known in the Henderson area as a song leader at Ebenezer Baptist Church, and assistant leader at Maple Grove Baptist Church in Minden, and at Enterprise Baptist Church in Gary. He faithfully attended Pine Hill Baptist Church as an active member. He was always willing to help a neighbor, friend, or stranger in need. Most of the past few years have been spent enjoying farm living. He dearly loved the Lord, studying in his Bible, never taking for granted the power of prayer.

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