Burks, Vernon Rufus
On April 22, 2015 in the middle of spring
our beloved Father, Vernon Rufus Burks, passed on and is in God's hands. Vernon was born July 9, 1923 in Pike County, Alabama. He was 91 years old. He was an Alabama farm boy and grew up there. His parents were Annie Elizabeth Turner Burks and Daniel Dozier Burks. Vernon married the love of his life, Emmaline Wilson, on January 12, 1943 in California. They celebrated their special 70th wedding anniversary together in 2013. They moved with their family to Mesa in June of 1964 and lived there ever since. Vernon loved his family and was an honorable man. He joined the Navy at eighteen and fought in World War 2 in the Solomon Islands. After the war he worked on the Southern Pacific Railroad. He then joined the Air Force. The Air Force sent him and his family on many wonderful tours with two tours in Alaska. After 20 years of service he retired from the Air Force. With his love and passion for airplanes he continued to repair, fly and inspect airplanes. He also enjoyed working on cars and owned a Texaco gas station in Mesa, Arizona. He had a passion for gardening. You can take the boy out of the farm but not the farm out of the boy! With sizeable yards, he planted many gardens which grew flavorful vegetables. His nut and fruit trees were beautiful! He loved basketball and baseball and enjoyed watching the Suns and Diamondbacks. He was a man of great integrity and morals. His beloved wife, Emmaline, passed in 2013. He is survived by his loving daughters Margaret Hargis (husband, Gary) of Mesa, AZ., Nancy Blake (husband, Rick) of Colorado Springs, CO. Loving grandchildren Honore' Schrade (husband, Jeff) of Stafford, VA, Steve Hargis (wife, Sarah) of Mesa, AZ, Sarah Hubel (husband, Lambert) of Colorado Springs, CO, Anna Aragundi (husband, Christian) of Colorado Springs, CO and Rebecca Blake (Adrian) of Colorado Springs, CO. Loving great-grandchildren Samuel Hubel, Matthew Hubel, Emmaline Hubel, Kari Schrade, Kylie Schrade, Bradley Schrade, Zane Hargis, Scarlett Hargis, Nathaniel Aragundi, Jackson Aragundi, Alexander Aragundi, Harplyn Braun. He is survived by his brother, Albert Burks, of Red Rock, Texas and many loving friends and relatives. Vernon has always been a strong caring presence in our lives. He will be deeply missed but will remain a strong caring presence in our thoughts and hearts. Thanks to all the amazing caregivers, health care providers and Fr. Will for all their compassion and loving care. There will be a viewing on Wednesday, April 29th at Wyman Cremation & Burial Chapel in Mesa at 4:00pm for family and 5:00pm to 7:00pm for friends. Graveside service is 10:00am on Thursday, April 30th at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Mesa.