Paul Burris


Paul Burris, of Blackwell, died Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 7, 2014, at Southwest Medical Center in Oklahoma City. He was 84.

Paul Burris was born on May 25, 1929, in Westville, the son of Teddy W. and Rosie Rankin Burris.

He grew up and attended school in Westville. Following his education he worked as a farmer until entering the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged on Nov. 16, 1951.

Following his discharge he began working at Acme Foundry in Blackwell.

He married Margarette Roberts on Dec. 22, 1964, in Medford and they settled in Blackwell where he was employed at the foundry until retirement in the 1970s.

He was then employed as a machinist for Wetmore's United Farm Tools in Tonkawa, the building superintendent at the Equity Plaza Apartments in Blackwell and for Crow Manufacturing until he retired in 2013 because of ill health.

He enjoyed fishing and watching college football.

He is survived by his wife of Blackwell; a daughter, Pauletta Wymer, of Edgerton, Kan.; three sons, Paul Phillip Burris, of Harrah; Jimmy Dewayne Burris, of Owasso and Stephen Leeowen Burris, of Midland, Texas; three sisters, Virginia Todd of Kennewick, Wash.; Anita Lou Fields of Seattle, Wash. and Layvonne Tehee, of Stilwell; two brothers, Eugene Burris, of Muskogee and Nolan Burris, of Pasco, Wash.; eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Gary Bartosovsky; two sisters, Lola Mae Burris and Velma Malcom; and three brothers, Calvin, Melvin and Glenn Burris.

A service is scheduled for 10 a.m., Friday, Jan. 10, at Roberts and Son Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Matt Smith of Immanuel Baptist Church officiating. Burial will be in Blackwell Cemetery.

A memorial has been established in his honor with Disabled American Veterans in c/o Roberts and Son Funeral Home, 120 W. Padon, Blackwell, OK 74631.

On-line condolences can be made at www.robertsandsonfh.com.