Lonnie Ray Burks

Send Flowers

Lonnie Ray BurksI am a Veteran.

of New Blaine, AR

December 9, 1937 - May 10, 2015

Lonnie Ray Burks, 77 of New Blaine went to his heavenly father this day May 10, 2015. He was born in a tent at a lumber camp near Tull, Arkansas. He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Earl & Cora Lee Burks, his sister, Vivian, brother, LeRoy and ex-wife Eloise.

He will be missed by his brothers, Doyle and wife Sue of Jessieville, Bill and wife Lee of Benton and ex-wife Fran Johnson of Benton, his son, Donnie and wife Brenda of Subiaco, a step son by marriage Tim of Oregon, his daughters, Andreanna of California, Tammy of Texas and Debbie of Oklahoma, grandsons, Blaine, Brad, Brennan Ray, Lucas Ray (his namesake), Dillon, Dustin, Tyler, Joshua, Josas and Thomas, his granddaughters, Bethany and husband Bobby Whorton of New Blaine, Cristy of Texas, and also Julie and husband Clete Ballantine of Texas, great-grandchildren, D.J., Adalyn, Natalie and other great grandchildren too numerous to name here, sister-in-laws, Mary and Natalie of California, Life long friends, Rick and Linda Newkirk of California and also several nieces and nephews.

He was a man that would help anyone at any time of he could. He was known as ''Road Runner'', his nickname in New Blaine since he was always going up and down the road for someone. He had a quirky since of humor and liked a good joke.

He was a two year Air Force Veteran and while stationed at Okinawa he brought a dummy shell into his supervisors office and dropped in on the desk and asked ''What should I do with his Sir!'', being just out of officers school and not very familiar with things he fell out of his chair and hit the floor, needless to say he wasn't laughing. He was a self taught jack of all trades, whatever needed fixing he could fix it or would learn how. He could predict the weather better than the television people by just watching nature.

His few minutes of fame came in 1973 when he and his dad appeared briefly in the movie ''White Lighting'' staring Burt Reynolds. The camera panned past the back of Lonnie's head to focus briefly on his dad at the back of the pool hall Thomas owned in Benton. Lonnie said ''It was very interesting but I wouldn't want an actors Job''.

He was a retired auto front end mechanic but he had several jobs during his life, among them was working at Alcoa at Benton and for E.L. Smith tending cattle and working at his rock gravel quarry in Benton. Also in his later years he helped G.R. Brown of New Blaine with his cattle. He loved westerns, fishing and the outdoors as much as he loved his family. He is going to be deeply missed by his wife Diana. My soulmate for twenty two years ''Sweetheart you are now truly free, Love Always''.

A memorial service is pending under the direction of Roller Funeral Home in Paris.

Sign Guestbook

1 Condolence(s)
Rick & Linda Newkirk
Clovis, CA
Liked
Friday, July 17, 2015

Lonnie was a great friend and a very good man. We are lucky to have known him. He will be missed!