Melvin Burks (12-26-11) service 12-30-11

Melvin R. Burks, 82, of Benton, Ark., went to be with the Lord on Monday, Dec. 26. He is preceded in death by his parents Dew and Maggie Burks and brother Anson Burks.

Remaining family include his loving wife of 52 years, Cheryl Lee Vollbracht Burks; a son, Ronald and wife Anita Burks of Adamsville; daughter and son-in-law Brigitte and Paul Tobola of Great Falls, Va.; daughter and son-in-law Kimberly and Andrew Getzoff of Columbia, Mo.; and daughter and son-in-law Carolyn and Ed Buckner of Benton, Ark. He is also survived by a sister, Jan Maness of Jackson, Tenn. Grandchildren are Brandon Burks and wife Jennifer, Brian Burks and wife Caley, Blair Burks, Carley and Wil Tobola, Jacob and Emily Getzoff, Grant and Ashton Lewis, Kristan Hendricks and Morgan and Brooke Buckner. He was also blessed with four great-grandchildren.

Mr. Burks was born on April 11, 1929, in Adamsville. In 1947, at the age of 17, he enlisted in the United States Navy where he achieved rank of Master Chief Petty Officer. In this role he was a forecaster at the U.S. Naval Weather Service unit, issuing weather briefings to all departing pilots.

Following 20 years of service in the military, Mr. Burks continued his education and began his civilian career at Alcoa in Saline County where he was in charge of instrumentation and electrical operations of the facility. Mr. Burks retired from Alcoa in 1996 and spent his remaining years in financial investment, travel, gardening, forever learning and loving his family with complete devotion.

Visitation was Friday, Dec. 30, at First Baptist Church Selph Hall with funeral services immediately following led by Dr. Rick Grant. Burial was at Pinecrest Memorial Park with full military honors.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Disabled American Veterans, Attn: Gift Processing, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45250-0301 in honor of Master Chief Petty Officer Melvin R. Burks.

Note from family: Our husband and father was a kind and selfless person, never speaking ill of anyone and quick to find good in all things. We will miss his sweet smile and reassuring hugs.

Online guestbook www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/ballard.