Kenneth Earl Burks, 64, eldest son of Billy Thomas and Lee Burks passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving wife, brother, daughter, son-in law and grandchildren on Tuesday, August 27, 2024.

Kenneth was born on March 31, 1960 in Denver, Colorado.

Kenneth was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Amber Lee Burks, father, Billy Thomas Burks, paternal grandparents, Thomas Earl and Cora Lee Burks, and maternal grandmother, Mary Lizabeth Duncan.

Kenneth started work at the early age of 14 working for McLehaney Dairy Farm in Haskell. While working his first job, his favorite form of payment was all the fresh milk he could drink. While attending Harmony Grove High School, he started working at Stuckey's of Haskell. During his time as a gas attendant and clerk, he began dating his future wife of 45 years, Regina Rickard. The young couple married February 23, 1979. After marriage, Kenneth worked many places to provide for his family, some places included Hilbilt and S&H Construction.  He then began working with his brother at Williamette in Malvern. He continued to work there as a sawmill operator for 26 years and was affectionately known as Big Lou. During his many years of shift work, he still found time to play softball on the company team, fish tournaments on Lake Hamilton and Lake Degray and travel with his buddies on hunting trips to Colorado and Kansas.

Kenneth possessed a great love for the outdoors from an early age. Lake Ouachita became his home away from home as a young boy and Dotted Lake was his backyard sanctuary. He shared this playground with his father, Big Daddy, and younger brother, Bubba.  Later on in life, he was thrilled to share this family tradition with his first grandson and his joy increased with each new grandchild that was born. He fostered this passion by presenting the boys with firearms, instilling lifelong lessons and creating lasting memories.

From turkey season through fishing season, he could be found basking in the solitude on "The Porch of Truth." Although the name did not always reflect the accuracy of the stories, the truth was never revealed of the site of his respected bream beds. Located in Buckville, the number of occupants on the porch was determined by the amount of his unfiltered opinion the audience could endure before retiring to their own residence in the small, diverse community. Many hot summer nights were spent retelling old fishing stories and recounting hunting trips. Laughs were shared and memories were created on the small but legendary porch.

As the summer days became longer and hotter, Kenneth would leave Buckville and return home to start laying the groundwork for dove season. He worked hard in the fields alongside his "adopted son" and close friends to prepare for the annual gathering.

With cooler weather, he spent many days of his retirement in the woods with his two older grandsons. Kenneth loved cold weather and the boys loved nothing more than to spend the day sitting at camp, visiting with Papaw and waiting for the elusive monster buck. Even though it is yet to be found, the time spent together was more valuable than any trophy deer. The boys witnessed their grandpa's hard work ethic as he carried out his duties as DLHC President. More recently, they branched out their interests with new squirrel pups. This led to Papa, RD and the boys constructing a robust and flawless dog pen.

Kenneth is survived by his wife, Regina Burks, mother Lee Burks, brother and best friend Keith Burks, daughter Jessica and son-in-law, Jake Mashburn. Seven grandchildren, Aiden Thomas, Austen Lee, Ava Marie, Addalynn Kay, Arynn Lizabeth, Andrew Kenneth, and Annisten Rose Mashburn. Niece Bailee Brown and great-niece Rosie Brown, all of Haskell. Also survived by devoted friend, Adam Ricketts and wife Mandy, uncle Wayne Mangum, aunt Cookie Burks, aunt Lou Packer, sister in law Debra Rickard, brother and sister in law, Revy and Patty Rickard, nephews Jonathan, Cody, Caleb, and Cory Rickard, niece Crystal Henderson, many cousins and friends.

Kenneth received a cancer diagnosis on August 2, 2024. Although the news was shocking, Kenneth faced it with bravery and determination. When told he was unable to beat the disease, he stated he would just ride out the storm. The family would like to express thanks to Dr Mark Martindale and staff and a special thank you to Dr Kincaid and Nurse Catherine at UAMS Palliative Care.

Services will be held on Thursday, August 29 at Ashby Funeral Home in Benton. Visitation at 1:00 pm followed by funeral at 2:00 pm with burial at Mt Harmony Cemetery in Haskell.

Pallbearers are Aiden and Austen Mashburn, Adam Ricketts, Doug Sanford, Rodger Dempsey, Brian Callahan, Randy Beaty and Bill Hampel. Honorary pallbearers are Mike Hampel, Johnny Westbrook, Paul Tuggle, Brian and Derek Mills, Quinn Best, Scott Craig, Mark Mangum, Rick Allinder, Mike Matthews, Chris Carneal, Dick Bruton, Ross Ramero, Scotty Clift, Bryan Willingham, Corky Panky, friends from Buckville, and members of Dotted Lake Hunting Club.