Kenneth R. Burks Sr.

Kenneth (Ken) R. Burks, Sr., 87, was called home Wednesday, July 17, 2019. He is survived by his brother Steve (Susan) and his children Ken Jr. (Debra), David (Daun), and Leigh Hardy (Derek). He is preceded by his wife Martha; their infant son Randall; his parents, Vernon and Louise; his sisters Freida and Needa; and his granddaughter Tarrah. Other family mourning Ken are those who called him Papa: his three grandchildren Dan (Reid), Laura, and Lauren Hardy and his two great-granddaughters Ashlyn Miller and Emma Miller.

He was the best man any of them have known. He was selflessly devoted to the wellbeing of his family, the pride and joy of his long and impressive life. He and Martha were the rocks on which many happy lives have been built.

Ken grew up in western Birmingham and was shaped by summers in Clanton with his paternal grandparents. He graduated from Ensley High School in 1950, where he was an outstanding football player and all-state track athlete. Ken was a Sigma Phi Epsilon at Auburn and ultimately graduated from Howard College (Samford), as a member of its first Homewood-campus class, with an industrial engineering degree that he earned by taking night classes as a young, working father. He had a 30-plus year career at U.S. Steel, retiring in 1985 as a department superintendent. He then spent over 20 years as an independent real-estate appraiser.

Ken and Martha raised their family in Belview Heights and Bush Hills, where they were members of the original Hunter Street Baptist Church, before moving to Vestavia in 1977.

He will be remembered for his mischievous wit; the imperturbable calm with which he addressed any issue or need of his family; and a straightforward, earnest charm that endeared him to anyone who was lucky enough to have met him.

Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. July 19 at Ridout's Chapel Elmwood with the funeral service following at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, in advancement of dementia research.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.johnsridoutselmwoodchapel.com for the Burks family.