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Nelson Burks Obituary
This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
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Cheering on the Cincinnati Reds
Sharon Auvil
January 6, 2011
We were so shocked and saddened to hear that our good friend, Nelson, had passed away. He and my husband, JD, graduated from WV Tech together in 1970, and had kept in touch over the years. It had become tradition to meet Nelson in Sarasota, FL every year for the Cincinnati Reds Spring Training. We so enjoyed his love of the Reds, his great sense of humor, and the stories he shared of his family and friends. Our deepest sympathies to Nelson's family...he loved you so dearly, it is such a great loss. We will miss him greatly, but he will live in our hearts forever.
Val Hodge
November 11, 2010
Uncle Nelson was one of my favorite people, and I am truly heartbroken that he is gone. We had become very close over the past few years, and I will miss him dearly. Holidays won't be the same without his smiling face, sense of humor, and great laugh. I was blessed to have had Nelson in my life-not only as my uncle-but as my friend.
Marsha Spears
November 11, 2010
Cheryl,
I am so sorry to hear about Nelson. I remember him so well. I know you will miss him. I wish we had stayed in closer touch.
Love,
Marsha Spears
November 10, 2010
Our deepest sympathies to Nelson's family and friends. He was a truly remarkable individual who was an inspiration to all who knew him. He will be truly missed. He will live on in our hearts. Jan Trainum, Jim and Betsy Fink, Jaden Jones
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Scott Lockwood
November 9, 2010
Nelson was a good friend for many years. We worked in the power industry together. I always looked forward to meetings with Nelson because he was always there with a chuckle in his voice and a smile on his face. Nelson will be greatly missed.
Cathey Carter
November 8, 2010
To the family of Nelson Burks-
I am so sorry for your loss. I worked with Nelson at Virginia Power in the 1990s. He was one of the engineers in Richmond who helped to raise me up to be the engineer I am now. I greatly appreciate the positive example he set for everyone, especially the non-numeric skills required to stay employed in sometimes difficult conditions.
May the peace of the Lord be on you.
November 8, 2010
I wish to express my deepest sympathy to the family of Nelson Burks. I am a friend of Nelson's sister, Cheryl Hodge and live in Huntington West Virginia. May God comfort and sustain you through this very difficult time. May he use his arm of love to surround you and bring you peace.
Maudie Karickhoff
[email protected]
Greg & June Hodges
November 7, 2010
What a tragic loss for our community. I had the pleasure of meeting Nelson in 1994, soon after joining the Old Dominion Chapter in Richmond. We shared many days of railroading together....from working the chapter's public train trips at Dillwyn Va., to hosting guests at the Richmond Railroad Museum.On a slow day , he and I might be about the only ones at the museum, and so we would swap railroad tales and discuss issues of the day. If you were feeling down, Nelson could bring you around with one of his (many!) jokes, and soon you would be smiling again. He was such a positive and good natured individual....he always had a good word and a chuckle for everyone he saw. He SO looked forward to his retirement years....he spoke of the places he wanted to visit and adventures that he wanted to experience. He will be missed.
IRV NICHOLS
November 7, 2010
NELSON WAS A KIND PERSON AND A GOOD EMPLOYEE. I NEVER HEARD ANYONE SAY AN UNKIND WORD ABOUT. HIM. HE IS NOW ON THE OTHER SIDE AND WITH THE LORD WHO WILL OR HAS EXPLAINED THE MYSTERY OF LIFE TO HIM. HE IS GONE BUT HIS FOND MEMORIES WILL WITH US ALL. THE WORLD NEEDS MORE PEOPLE LIKE NELSON !! FROM A FELLOW AT VA. POWER. IRV NICHOLS
Kim Young
November 7, 2010
I only new Nelson for s short time through the ODC. Having just moved here from Huntington, it was great to have a fellow western West Virginian to connect with. He was a class gentleman and will be greatly missed. Kim Young - Chesterfield County
Jon Riley
November 7, 2010
Nelson was a great guy - always easy to get along with, whether working against a deadline, or sharing stories over dinner after the days work was done. We shared 20+ years on one industry working group or committee after another. I will always remember his hearty laugh and firm handshake.
Marge & Tom Hardesty
November 6, 2010
My husband, Tom, and I worked with Nelson on the Old Dominion Chapter NRHS train trips. It was a shock to hear that he had passed after the surgery since on the last train trip he was talking about retirement. He always had a smile on his face and had a good sense of humor. We enjoyed his stories about the Fire Department and the Railroad. He will really be missed.
David Hebel
November 6, 2010
When I think of Nelson Burks, I think of three things: his love of trains and the Old Dominion Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society, his work with Virginia Power, and his work as a volunteer fire fighter. I had the pleasure of working with Nelson on many ODC NRHS trips and activities. Nelson gave freely of his time and talents. He will be missed by all that knew him.
November 6, 2010
I am so sorry for your loss. He looks so happy in his pictures. Though I barely remember him, I am sure he brought laughter to all your lives. You guys are in my prayers.
Faith Wilks
Ken & Nancy Clarkson Thacker
November 6, 2010
I had lost track of Nelson through the years and I am saddened by his passing. My memories of Nelson are of him in his green and white C-K Band uniform and his cheerful personality. Nelson was a fellow member of C-K High School class of 66',
John Estes
November 6, 2010
I enjoyed a lot of Old Dominion Chapter NRHS train trips with Nelson. He was always fun and interesting to talk with and we shared a lot of railroad stories, most of which were true! The last trip was several weeks ago on the Buckingham Branch RR - hard to believe that he left us so suddenly.
He will be missed.
November 5, 2010
So sorry to loose Nelson. He was a good friend and our thoughts and prayers awill be with his family during this difficult time.
Glenn & Debbie Ross
Lynn Hoffman
November 5, 2010
Nelson was my neighbor. He was always so kind to my son, Bryan. Nelson was always so easy going and very helpful. He was a very kind and gentle man. It was with great sorrow that I read about his passing. My deepest condolences in you loss. Lynn Hoffman
Joe Siegmund
November 5, 2010
Nelson was truly a good man. I will miss his emails about his various trips, even the ones where he was enjoying warm weather down South while I was sitting here with snow all around. I'm quite sure the Lord has good things in store for Nelson.
Larry Adams
November 5, 2010
I remember Nelson from my days as a volunteer firefighter in Bon Air. He was always easygoing and pleasant to talk to. I'm really sorry to hear of his passing. My sincere condolences go out to his family.
Stan Zyvith
November 5, 2010
'We have truly lost a great individual. I met him in the mid 90's on the VEM Working group and he was very helpful in creating that report. When the pressure was on, he still remained cheerful and focused. He loved his fire dept, the Cincinatti Reds, & the hog roast that I believe was held in Tennesee. I'll miss him & his e-mails.
Carter Edge
November 5, 2010
Nelson was an inspiration to me and showed me the importance of collaboration while sticking to your principles.
Those were the days
Karen Russell
November 5, 2010
One of my dearest friends. I met Nelson in 1978/79 when he joined the distribution engineering group in Richmond. I was blessed with 30 years of wonderful memories. Nelson always kept in touch even during retirement. I enjoyed his e-mails and hearing about the "Reds". I will greatly miss him but he will always be in my heart.
Don Reichenbach
November 5, 2010
I worked with Nelson for 20 years in the power industry. Nelson's work contributed greatly to electric reliability in the southeast and the best part was he was always fun to work with. He will be missed.
Karen Reynolds
November 5, 2010
Words seem inadequate to express my sorrow at the news of Nelson's death. I got to know him while working at Dominion and discovered his selfless nature as he talked about his 'other' job(s) as a firefighter,and a railroad enthusiast. Running into him even after his retirement, it was easy to pick up conversation - as if we had just talked the day before. Nelson will be missed, there is no other way to say it. Please accept my heartfelt sympathy and my prayers in this sorrowful time.
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