Obituary of Robert Burris

Robert George Burris, Jr., known as “R.G.” of Clarksville, passed away, October 06, 2013, at the age of 81. He was born in Clarksville on August 29, 1932, to Robert “Robbie” and Jo Needham Burris and was a member of the First Baptist Church. He graduated from Clarksville High School in 1949, where he participated in all sports and was selected as the “Best All-Around Athlete”. He graduated from East Texas State University with a Bachelors Degree in General Business and a Master Degree in Administrative Education. He proudly served in the United States Navy and was a member of the Navy’s basketball and baseball teams. He received an Honorable Discharge. He retired from Texas Public Schools having served as a teacher, coach and principal in Clarksville, Atlanta, Gladewater and Hallsville school districts. He coached football, basketball, baseball, track and golf and won district championships in each of these sports. He was one of the most regular players at the Clarksville Country Club where he won a course championship and had seven “holes in one”. He continued to play golf until the last few months consistently shooting low scores for his age. The pride and joy of his life were his two children, Bob and Lou Ann and their families including grandchildren Laura, Whitney, Jake and Ross. As a proud “grandpa”, he attended many of their activities including dance recitals, tennis matches, swim meets and basketball games. He truly cherished the time he spent with his family, especially golfing and fishing with them at the Clarksville Country Club. He loved when the grandchildren brought friends to the cabin, and he was known for entertaining them with his witty jokes. He was preceded in death by his parents Robbie and Jo Burris; his brother Charles Burris; and brother in law; Jerry Lassiter. Those left to cherish his memory include his son and his wife and their children: Bob and Nancy Burris, Whitney Ann Burris and Jacob Robert Burris all of Tulsa, Ok and his daughter and her husband and their children: Lou Ann and Tim Viergever, Laura Marie Viergever and Donald Ross Viergever all of Whitehouse, Tx. He is also survived by one sister, Bobbye Jo Lassiter of Winder, GA and three nieces: Karen Barber, Kay Morris and Sheryl Lynn Rapp. The family wishes to thank R.G’s golf buddies and morning coffee friends for their support and encouragement during their dad’s illness. They have lived out the verse from Proverbs: 17:17, “A friend loves at all times.” Funeral services are set for 2:00 p.m., Saturday, October 12, 2013, in Lindeman Chapel of Clarksville Funeral Home with Rev. Mark Gossett officiating. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery under the direction of Clarksville Funeral Home. The family will receive friends an hour before service time at the funeral home. Pallbearers are Charles Dooley, Charles Smith, Bobby Gooding, Bruce Session, Bud Owens, John Nichols, Bill Plyant and Paul Jones. Honorary Pallbearer is Ross Price. If desired, in lieu of flowers, R.G. requested donations be made to the American Cancer Society. Online condolences may be made to the Burris family at www.clarksvillefuneralhome.com .