Alton M. Burris

Alton M. Burris, 87, of Corrigan, son of the late Laura Pearl (Allen) and Jay C. Burris, was born December 18, 1924 in Bullard, Cherokee County, TexaS. He passed away Saturday, March 31, 2012, in a Corrigan nursing facility.

Mr. Burris was a member of the Corrigan Masonic Lodge # 1103 A.F. & A. M., the Arabia Temple of Shriners in Houston, the Corrigan Chapter OES # 631, and was a life member of the Corrigan VFW # 6521. He was a member and Deacon of First Baptist Church of Corrigan since 1971, a member of Corrigan School Board for 15 years, City Council member for 25 years, Master Mason 32nd degree, Scottish Rite Mason, and Honorary Future Farmers. He served in the United States Navy as a Sea Bee, 101 Battalion from 1943 to 1946. He served on the islands of Saipan and Okinawa during WWII. He was in the auto sales business for 58 years and co-owner of Bullock Motor Company for 13 years. In 1971, he began B & B Motor Company and continued helping with the daily business until 2003. He was the CEO/CFO of the Burris clan.

Survivors include daughter and son-in-law, Jan and John Purvis of Corrigan; son and daughter-in-law, Larry and Joyce Burris, of Corrigan; brother and sister-in-law, J. T. and Margie Burris of Port Arthur; sister, Ruby Jenkins of Victoria; grandchildren, Elisha and Bo Bell, Brad and Angelia Purvis, all of Corrigan; Shana and Patrick Dickens of Livingston; Ryan and Sandy Burris of Corrigan, Reagon and Julie Clamons of Lytle, TX, Cody and Reese Burris of Bay City; fifteen great-grandchildren, special Friend, Doris Griggs; numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives; and the loves of his life, his dogs, Rocky and Lady. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Carrie Lee Burris; son, Gary Mitchell Burris; and brother, Allen Burris.

Serving as pallbearers are Ryan Burris, Cody Burris, Brad Purvis, Blake Bell, Mitch Bell and Seth Dickens.

Honorary pallbearers are Lynn Clamon, Reagan Clamon, Bo Bell, Keith Bullock, Billy Sage, Chessy Woodard, Ronnie Smith, Terry Sage, Mason Chamblee, and Patrick Dickens.

Services for Mr. Burris will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 3, 2012, in the Corrigan First Baptist Church Family Life Center, Corrigan, Texas, with Ralph Johnston and Royce Pennington officiating. Interment will follow in the Garden of Memories Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday evening in the Corrigan First Baptist Church Family Life Center.

Condolences may be offered at www.gipsonfuneralhome.com

Services have been placed in the trust of Gipson Funeral Home