Obituary of James Alexander Burks

James Alexander Burks, 84 of Bedford, passed away Wednesday, November 2, 2016 at Centra Bedford Memorial Hospital. He was born on Tuesday, September 6, 1932 in Bedford County, a son of the late Norwood Marshall Burks and Claradeen Hodges Burks. He graduated from Virginia Tech in 1959 where he played football and was a captain his senior year. He owned & operated Burks Brothers Dairy Farm, was a member of Ebenezer United Methodist Church and a U. S. Army Veteran. He is survived by his wife of fifty-nine years, Sue Burks; his daughters, Dee-Dee B. Witt & husband, Jeff of Bedford, Anne B. Hudson of Bedford, Jamie B. Firebaugh & husband, Kevin of Winchester, Laura B. Crouch & husband, Marvin of Bedford; his grandchildren, Courtney Key, Katie Hudson, Cameron Firebaugh, Makala Firebaugh, Sara Smith, Stephen Crouch, J. J. Witt, Meredith Witt; a great-grandson, Austin Key and his sister, Mabel B. Zimmerman & husband, Jimmy of Bedford. The family would like to give special thanks to Bea Payne for the wonderful care given to James while he was sick. Funeral services will be held at the graveside at 11:00 AM on Friday, November 4, 2016 at St. Thomas Episcopal Church Cemetery with Rev. Mark Wilkerson & Rev. Mike Jones officiating. The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 6 until 8 PM at Updike Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Bedford.