Obituaries

Troy E. Burris

Photo of Troy E. Burris
Troy Burris, 93, of Russellville, died Wednesday, March 18, 2015 in Russellville. The son of Dolan and Clemie Worsham Burris, he was born November 16, 1921 in London. A long time Businessman and community leader, Troy founded Burris Office Machines in 1953, now Burris Inc. Office Products in Russellville. Burris was raised on a farm in the Buttermilk Community, with his brother, Roy, and two sisters Ruth and Ruby. He graduated from Hector High School in 1939, and immediately joined the Arkansas National Guard, which was the only way that we could get the money to pay for his education at Arkansas Polytechnic College (ATU). In 1942, while attending Arkansas Tech, Burris's National Guard unit, the 206th Coastal Artillery (Anti-Aircraft), Battery D and Battery F, which were stationed at Arkansas Tech, was activated and deployed to Dutch Harbor, Alaska. Burris and his company spent the next 11 months at Dutch Harbor. Assigned to a battery of long-range, 75-millimeter cannons, their job was to guard the Alaskan coastline from a possible Japanese attack. That possibility became a reality on June 3, 1942 with a Japanese air raid that consisted of torpedo bombers and Zero fighters. The attack on Dutch Harbor forms an integral part of the history of the current 1-206th Field Artillery of the Arkansas National Guard's 39th Infantry Brigade, with Headquarters in Russellville. Following his service during World War II, Troy and Marjorie Henderson were married on November 11, 1944. He was reactivated during the Korean War and served in Germany. Following his Korean War service, Troy purchased the H.D. Coffee Supply store in downtown Russellville and started his own business, Burris Office Machines (now Burris Inc ). Having served his country with honor and distinction, he retired in 1973 from the Arkansas National Guard as a lieutenant colonel. He received the World War II Victory Ribbon, U.S. Army Good Conduct Medal. A member of the class of 1946, Troy loved and served his Alma Mater as President of the Arkansas Tech Alumni Association in 1981-82, Chairman of Arkansas Tech Fund Drive in 1989, and was a member of Arkansas Tech Board of Trustees from 1986-1991. He was inducted into the Arkansas Tech Hall of Distinction in 1992. Troy was the 1967 President of the Russellville Chamber of Commerce when the decision to build Arkansas Nuclear One was made. "All that was out there where the power plant is today was corn fields," said Troy. "The Chamber and other city leaders drove a big flatbed tractor/trailer into the middle of those fields to stand on and have a big welcoming ceremony to the company representatives who would be constructing the power plant." He was honored as Russellville's Citizen of the Year in 1988. He also served on the Russellville Downtown Investment Corp 1969-70 and 1979 and the Russellville Industrial Development Corporation in 1982. He was a member of the Board of Directors of KCAB Radio Station from 1969-1981 and the Arkansas Valley Savings & Loan from 1970-1984. Burris' service to the community and state included the following boards and commissions: Board member of the Housing Development Agency 1983-86 (appointed by Governor Bill Clinton); He was a member and chairman of the Arkansas Ethics Commission; Chairman of Bill Clinton's Campaign for Governor in Pope County in 1982, 1984 and 1986; Chairman of the Pope County Democratic Committee from 1988-92; State committeeman from 1992 to 2013. Troy will be remembered for his influence on the history of our community, our state and our nation. While still working at the age of 91, Mr. Burris told his family, "I've seen a lot of struggles over the years, but I have tried to do what was right at every turn." Burris went on to say, " I'll never forget the boys that I served with in the Army. They are a big reason that I'm right here today." He was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He was preceded in death by his wife Margie Burris; his parents; brother, Roy Burris; sister, Ruth Burris. Survivors include two daughters and sons-in-law, Vickie Stingley (Ed) of Russellville, Troylynn McSpadden (Roy) of Russellville; two grandchildren and their spouses, Stephanie Barker (Steve) of Russellville, Ed McSpadden (Dixie) of Russellville; six great-grandchildren, Rhett Hale Barker, Meredith Grace Barker, Clara Lynn McSpadden, Chloie Elizabeth McSpadden, Anna Kay McSpadden, Mac Wetzel McSpadden all of Russellville; sister, Ruby Curry of Russellville; several nieces and nephews. Funeral service will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, March 21, 2015 at Humphrey Chapel. Burial will be at Rest Haven Memorial Park by Humphrey Funeral Service. Full military honors will be provided by the Arkansas National Guards' 39th Infantry Brigade from Fort Chaffee. The family will receive friends from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., on Friday, at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Troy Burris Scholarship Endowment, Pope County Community Foundation, P. O. Box 663, Russellville, Ark. 72811. Internet obituary and on-line guest book are available at www.humphreyfuneral.com.

Published March 20, 2015

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