James Burks

James Wilson "Teeny" Burks went to be with our Lord on January 9th, 2018. He waged a warrior's battle against cancer. Jim was born on February 4th, 1936 in Horse Cave, Kentucky on Glenwood Farm. In 1980, Jim was reunited with his college sweetheart and love of his life, Anne. Their union created a family of seven children which led to fourteen grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Jim served 42 years as an educator and school administrator in California, Colorado, and Kentucky. He was proud of his innovative and progressive style which garnered him recognition from every state. Among his accomplishments, he created the South Bay Bird Sanctuary in San Diego county, served on many boards and commissions, helped create the Aspen Camp for Deaf Children, testified before the U.S. congressional committee on special education, and was honored as a Kentucky Colonel by legislative act. After his retirement, he enjoyed traveling with Anne, spending time with family, woodworking, and tending to the birds and wildlife in his yard. His love of feeding the birds has been passed through the generations. Throughout his time and wherever he was, Jim kept a special relationship with the community and church. The bond with his childhood friends was unbreakable and remained to the end. He stayed close with the alumni and basketball teams from his high school (Caverna HS, Horse Cave, KY) and college (MTSU, Murfreesboro, TN) and many people throughout his career. He served as a deacon to his churches in Colorado, Kentucky, and Tennessee and continued to be involved in education after retirement. All along, his quiet presence touched the lives of every person he met. If you ever met Jim Burks, you had a friend for life. James Burks was preceded in death by his beloved mother Elizabeth Downing Burks, father Joseph Burks, and brother Joe Burks. He is survived by his wife Anne Hagewood Burks, his children Pandora Burks, Roger (Shannon) Burks, Jinetta Burks (Brian) Zentmire, , Catherine (Henry) Fennell, Jeri (Greg) Hasty, Carole (Taylor) York, Diane (Scott) Patten, and his special brother-in-law Clay Hagewood. A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Friday January 19th, 2018 in the Baskin Chapel at Brentwood Baptist Church, 7777 Concord Rd, Brentwood, TN. Visitation with the family will begin at 10:30am. The service will begin at 1:00pm. Pastor Mike Glenn will officiate. The family wishes to thank the Brentwood Baptist Church, doctors and caregivers at Vanderbilt Hospital, and his caregivers from Amedisys Hospice. It was Jim's wish that in lieu of flowers, please make a donation to: "Room in the Inn", c/o Brentwood Baptist Church, 7777 Concord Rd, Brentwood, TN 37027. Also, a Go Fund Me account has been created to honor Two of Jim’s life’s passions: The Education of Children, and The Preservation of Nature www.gofundme.com/james-burks-memorial-for-education