James Burks

BURKS, Dr. James William, Jr. DDS, age 84, passed away April 5, 2013. He was born January 22, 1929 to James William Burks, Sr. and Nellie Burks in Nashville, TN. He was the oldest of four siblings. He is preceded in death by wife, Dr. Helen Crawford Burks; parents; brother, Robert Burks; Donna Burks; son, Samuel Preston Burks. He is survived by sons, James William Burks, 111 DDS, Joseph Weldon Burks, and Jonathan Wayne Burks; daughter, Susan Elizabeth Snider; brother, John Burks; sister, Louise Reasonover; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren. He was a professional musician. He started playing the accordion and vibraharp in 1946. During this time he played on the radio until 1949 playing 15 programs per week. In 1949 he joined Red Foley on the Grand Ole Opry. He formed his own group and played on WSM radio and played with Arthur Godrey among others. In 1952 He was drafted in the US army, and was honorably discharged in 1954. He graduated from Loma Linda University Dental School as a DDS in 1962. In 1963 he joined the air force and was discharged in 1965. In 1970 he opened a dental office in Hendersonville, TN. Shortly after he opened Doc's Place Recording Studio in 1975. He retired in 1989 after Dr. Helen Burks was diagnosed with lymphoma. He began Evangelical Partners International (EPI) which has led thousands in Russia to be baptized into the Seventh Day Adventist Church. Visitation with the family will be in the Chapel of Madison Funeral Home on April 9, 2013 from 4-6 p.m. with a service to follow.