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SgtMaj Clifford M. Burks, Sr., age 90, of Little Rock, formerly of Monticello passed away Tuesday, September 17, 2013 at his home in Little Rock. He was born August 8, 1923 to the late Guy and Winnie Gober Burks. “Click” grew up in the Bowser community, graduated from Drew Central High School, attended Arkansas A&M College (now UAM) and married Pauline “Polly” Porter on August 22, 1942. During their 67 years of marriage, they raised four children, six grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
Mr. Burks was a retired decorated World War II Marine Veteran and a member of the Church of Christ. Other than his parents, he was also preceded in death by three brothers, Carl, Charlie and Jay Burks and three sisters, Myrtle Knowles, Jane Butler and Coty Ashcraft.
When our country entered World War II, “Click” enlisted into the United States Marine Corps in 1942 and reported for duty at Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, CA. During the war he participated in numerous key battles of WWII. He saw action at Guadalcanal, Cape Gloucester, Peleliu, and Okinawa. He received both of his Purple Hearts at Peleliu and his Bronze Star at Okinawa. After the war he returned to Monticello, but his country called and he answered. He re-enlisted in 1950 to serve in the Korean War. He also served two tours of duty in Vietnam. During his 33 year career in the Corps, “Click” served to protect his country all over the world. He faced many hardships and dangers so that we would not have to. He attained the highest enlisted rank of Sergeant Major and was nominated for Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps in 1977. After retirement, SgtMaj Burks was JROTC instructor at Parkview High School in Little Rock where he had a positive influence on many young people’s lives. He served as past post commander and chaplain of the VFW Post 9095 in Little Rock.
Survivors include two sons, Clifford M. Burks, Jr. of Smithwick, TX an Carl Burks and wife, Debbie of Cedarcreek, MO; two daughters, Julie Foster and Paulette Burks both of Monticello; two sisters, Ruby Jeter of Nashville, TN and Guylene Simmons of Lewes, DL; six grandchildren, Juddy Burks and wife, Sharon, Archer Neilson, Gabe Burks and wife, Chassity, Elizabeth Burchfield, Cody Foster and wife, Michele, and Jay Foster and wife, Jamie; and seven great-grandchildren, Teresa, Kamrynn, Katelyn, Nicholas, Brooklyn, Luke and Jaycie.
He was an avid hunter and fisherman, activities he enjoyed all of his 90 years. They say that old soldiers never die, they only fade away, but whether you knew him as Daddy, Pop, PawPaw, Click, SgtMaj, S.O.B. or the Warhorse, he will never fade from our hearts and memories.
Funeral services will be 3:00 p.m. Saturday, September 21, 2013 at Stephenson-Dearman Chapel by Gunnery Sgt. Marcus Sugg. Burial with full military honors will be in Union Ridge Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Friday night at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to VFW 9095, 1121 Gamble Rd, Little Rock, AR 72211. Online guestbook www.stephensondearman.com.
Mr. Burks was a retired decorated World War II Marine Veteran and a member of the Church of Christ. Other than his parents, he was also preceded in death by three brothers, Carl, Charlie and Jay Burks and three sisters, Myrtle Knowles, Jane Butler and Coty Ashcraft.
When our country entered World War II, “Click” enlisted into the United States Marine Corps in 1942 and reported for duty at Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, CA. During the war he participated in numerous key battles of WWII. He saw action at Guadalcanal, Cape Gloucester, Peleliu, and Okinawa. He received both of his Purple Hearts at Peleliu and his Bronze Star at Okinawa. After the war he returned to Monticello, but his country called and he answered. He re-enlisted in 1950 to serve in the Korean War. He also served two tours of duty in Vietnam. During his 33 year career in the Corps, “Click” served to protect his country all over the world. He faced many hardships and dangers so that we would not have to. He attained the highest enlisted rank of Sergeant Major and was nominated for Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps in 1977. After retirement, SgtMaj Burks was JROTC instructor at Parkview High School in Little Rock where he had a positive influence on many young people’s lives. He served as past post commander and chaplain of the VFW Post 9095 in Little Rock.
Survivors include two sons, Clifford M. Burks, Jr. of Smithwick, TX an Carl Burks and wife, Debbie of Cedarcreek, MO; two daughters, Julie Foster and Paulette Burks both of Monticello; two sisters, Ruby Jeter of Nashville, TN and Guylene Simmons of Lewes, DL; six grandchildren, Juddy Burks and wife, Sharon, Archer Neilson, Gabe Burks and wife, Chassity, Elizabeth Burchfield, Cody Foster and wife, Michele, and Jay Foster and wife, Jamie; and seven great-grandchildren, Teresa, Kamrynn, Katelyn, Nicholas, Brooklyn, Luke and Jaycie.
He was an avid hunter and fisherman, activities he enjoyed all of his 90 years. They say that old soldiers never die, they only fade away, but whether you knew him as Daddy, Pop, PawPaw, Click, SgtMaj, S.O.B. or the Warhorse, he will never fade from our hearts and memories.
Funeral services will be 3:00 p.m. Saturday, September 21, 2013 at Stephenson-Dearman Chapel by Gunnery Sgt. Marcus Sugg. Burial with full military honors will be in Union Ridge Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Friday night at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to VFW 9095, 1121 Gamble Rd, Little Rock, AR 72211. Online guestbook www.stephensondearman.com.