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Joseph Burks Obituary
SILVER LAKE - Joseph M. Burks, 84, passed away September 21, 2008.
Born in 1924 in Saltillo, Miss. to Joseph L. and Ethel Burks, he was a graduate of Akron University, attained a Masters Degree from Kent State University, and served in the Marine Corps during World War II. He was a teacher and football coach at Ellet High School, truant officer for the Akron Board of Education, principal of Akron Night School at North High School, and principal of Thornton Junior High and Ellet High School. Mr. Burks was also the founder and owner of Tuffy Pad Company on Seasons Rd. in Stow, Ohio.
Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Margaret; daughters, Rebecca Nagle (Kim) of Winnetka, Ill. and Debbie Burks, Jackson Township, Ohio; grandchildren, Zach Nagle, Dillon Nagle, and Sam Bormet; brother, William Burks (Doris) of Sanibel, Fla.; and many nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church, 647 E. Market St., Akron 44304 at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, where friends may call one hour prior to service, Dr. Mark Ruppert officiating. Final resting place in Brown's Church Cemetery, Jackson, Tenn. In lieu of other remembrances, memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Akron.
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Wendy Davis Smarkel
October 22, 2008
Dear Burks Family,
So sorry to hear of your loss.
Dennis Sullivan
October 8, 2008
Burk Family,
I graduated from Ellet in 1959. Joe was my football coach for most of my time there. I have talked about him for many years as a special person, teacher and coach. He encouraged us to have a short haircut and look neat everyday, which I appreciated. When we screwed up, I can still hear him calling us a "Dam Dummy". Joe will be missed and always in our prayers. Dennis
Alice Collier
October 3, 2008
Dear Margaret,
I know that Joe and Tom are together again in Heaven laughing and talking about all the good times they shared ,especially fishing.Tom loved Joe and always called him
when we were in Akron. Love to you,Alice
Robert Heidt
October 3, 2008
My sympathy to the family. Coach Burks gave me a nickname that has lasted through the years he was my freshman basketball coach in 1954. Bob "killer" Heidt
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Floyd Keathley
September 27, 2008
Margaret,
Joe was not just a high school football coach, he was a friend.
He certainly put up with a lot from me and helped keep my head on straight. He was like a big-brother and a very good person.
Dale Province
September 27, 2008
I had the privilege to play football for Joe at Ellet High school in 1953 . He was a great coach and a second Father to me. He will be greatly missed by many students.
Dale Province
MaryAnn Lansberry (nee Flower)
September 25, 2008
I was a student in Mr. Burks' Social Studies Class at Ellet High Schoool - He was an inspiration to me.
Pat McCartt (class of 61)
September 24, 2008
Coach made a positive impact on the lives of many young men, both on and off the field of play. He will be missed.
My condolences to the family for their loss.
Russell Sibert
September 24, 2008
Mr. Burks was my principal at Thornton Junior High nearly 40 years ago. He was a great leader and mentor to me in what was a very difficult social environment. I am now 51 years old and a vice president at The University of Akron. One of the reasons I've succeeded in life is that God put good people in front of me, especially teachers. Mr. Burks made a huge difference at Thornton and for me. May God bless you all as your mourn his loss, but remember, he waits for us in heaven with our Savior Jesus Christ!
Mike McClintock
September 24, 2008
We are sorry to hear of your loss and a loss for all of us.
Ron Kruse
September 24, 2008
Dear Margaret, Debbie, and Rebecca,
My prayers are with all of you on the loss of your Husband and Father. I belong to the TAG group and have been a customer of Tuffy Pad for a number of years.
Joe always gave us a great product and wonderful service. But, he was more than that. He was a friend to us and to the industry. He always attended our trade shows and supported the industry and our companies. I think that was because of his background in the coaching field. He knew what it took to be successful and he was always willing to pass that experience on to us.
I have fond memories of him pulling up to our business with a U-Haul trailor delivering our goods personally. Margaret was with him and then they would go on to visit Rebecca after making the delivery.
Best wishes to all of you and I know that the good memories of Joe will be with you always. My prayers and thoughts go out to all of you.
Love, Ron
monty shreiner
September 24, 2008
I never for get -monty your like a blind dog in a meet house
god bless class of 61
Patricia Price
September 23, 2008
Dearest Margaret & girls,
My Mother and I both send our deepest Sympathy on your loss. Joe was a great help to me with his phone calls after my father passed. Your in our prayers. God Bless You.
Love Pat Price and Nadine Steffy
Judy Sykes
September 23, 2008
To The Burks Family:
I offer my sincere condolences at your loss. I was a student at Thornton Jr. High during the time Mr. Burks was principal. I vividly remember his morning address to the students over the PA system. He was a stearn, yet fair man. Thank you for sharing him with us. May God bless each of you.
Judy Sykes
Thornton Thunderbirds Class of '71
Lavonne Steffy-Radonovich
September 23, 2008
Margaret and daughters,
My many thoughts and prayers are with you as you celebrate Joe's life. Joe was an inspiration to many and lived a full life. I will always remember his delightful voice and laughter. May he rest in peace with Dad ( Earl F. Steffy) They will have a great time together as they always did.
Lavonne Steffy-Radonovich
LEON POTKAY
September 23, 2008
JOE i always enjoyed a good laugh and story at the tag sporting goods shows,,YOU will be missed and remembered as a true leader and great person,you are in a better
now.GOD BLESS .LEON POTKAY
Jack DeMotte
September 23, 2008
I wish to extend my sympathies to Mrs. Burks and family. I first met Joe Burks several years ago as a vendor for my sporting goods business. We rapidly became friends and I developed a great respect for him and how he conducted his business. He always supplied a good product, stood behind it, and priced it fairly. He was always very loyal to us as customers, and was a friend as well as a good supplier. I know my feelings are shared by many of my peers in the athletic team supply business. His legacy is being carried on today by Debbie, who operates the business with many of the same attributes. Joe will be sorely missed by his customers.
Claudia Palmer
September 23, 2008
I was a student at Thornton Jr High when Mr Burks was principal..{well saying I was a student might be a little much}On one of my daily trips to the office Mr Burks found out that I had trouble reading.So instead of being expelled and sent home,He made an office helper {one of them honer roll straight A students} get a book.By the 8th grade not only was I reading I knew my times tables up to 9.I didn't learn these things in a class room...But in the corner of Mr Burks office.Not only was he Principal of Thornton Jr High..He was one of the finest teachers ever to walk those halls...
Darryl Somerville
September 23, 2008
Coach Burks was my football coach at Ellet High School for three years. He tought me to love the game. He was a great role model. I can still remember telling me one time that I got the wind knocked of me at practice, and as I laid on the ground, "If I had a hole big enough I would bury you".
May God be with your family in these trying times.
Jackie (Triche) Sypherd
September 23, 2008
Dear Margaret and family, Joe Burks had a profound and positive influence upon the life of Floyd Sypherd, Ellet Class of 1953. I once told Joe about the positve influence, guidence, and direction that he gave to "Syph" and Joe was surprised. Joe was much more than just a coach or teacher. I am sure he impacted many other lives also. Jackie (Triche) Sypherd, Ellet Class of 1953
Garth Newberry
September 23, 2008
Mr, Burks was one of my favorite principals and I remember him so well. It seems like yesterday that I was a student at Thornton Junior High School. I can truly appreciate his work as an educator and dedication as now I am an educator. Please accept my deepest sympathies.
Thunderbird Class of "71
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