Sam Burks

Longtime Mat-Su Valley resident Sam “Iron Man” Burks, 70, died Sept. 26, 2007, of a heart attack as he was on his way to play cards, one of his favorite pastimes. A celebration of Burks’ life will be held at 2 p.m. Oct. 6 at Buell Equipment, Mile 50.5 Parks Highway.

Burks was born Feb. 8, 1937, in Magnolia, Ark., to Sam and Jesse Burks. He grew up and lived the better part of his life in the Los Angeles area prior to moving to Oregon, and then to Alaska in 1985. Like many others who have moved to Alaska, Burks truly thought he was moving to a state where people lived in igloos and shacks. In a very short time he grew to love Alaska.

Burks spent his life working in the trucking industry — from the docks and dispatching to driving, he was involved with anything on wheels. His other passions included his family, playing baseball, hunting, fishing, billiards and playing cards. He would always greet those he met with a smile and a helping hand. He will be missed by his family, and all who knew and worked with him through the years.

Burks is survived by wife, Donnita Burks of Meadow Lakes; daughters Christine Burks Seals, Cynthia Burks and Cymandie of California and Cheron Evans of Tennessee; son Sonny Burks of California; sisters Dell Allen, Iris Williams Richardson and Ilene Lockwood of California; 23 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother Willie Burks; daughters Caroline Burks and Mary Burks Grooms; and step-son Michael Schroeder.