John Burris

John Eddy Burris was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on November 14,1955 to Wilburn and Edith Burris. He was the fifth of six children. He grew up in Oklahoma City and spent many of his days in the company of his siblings, nieces and nephews. Growing up John loved to work on cars and ride motorcycles. John was a quick and apt student of all life has to offer. By early adulthood, he had acquired skills in carpentry, flooring, roofing, electrical, plumbing and car mechanics. Perhaps most remarkable of all his skills was his talent with sketching and painting. John was a very artistic man and painted many works of art that hang in the homes of his loved ones. John was a visionary craftsman and everything he created from art to woodwork was remarkably beautiful. He was truly a Jack of all trades and a master of every single one. Of all his accomplishments, John was proudest of his family. John met Karen Murray in the spring of 1977 while working at Montgomery Ward. John worked in the garden department and Karen worked in clothing. After proposing to Karen for the third time she finally said, "Okay, let's do it." They were married outside on October 8,1977 at the home of Karen's grandparents Clayton and Hazel Hall. A year and a half after their marriage, John and Karen welcomed their first child, April Lynn, on April 16, 1979. Their son, John "Johnny" Eddy Burris II was born on July 20, 1983. John enjoyed sharing all his skills and talents with his children, nephews and nieces. April and Johnny share their father's endless knowledge of home and mechanical repair. John also taught his children how to love fully, think deeply and work diligently. He was proud to see them grow into strong and caring adults with families and careers of their own. John wrestled with the symptoms of Charcot-Marie-Tooth Syndrome long before the official diagnosis came in his late 30s. Despite the debilitating effect of the disease, John worked tirelessly as a carpet layer for many years. Even after he was no longer able to sustain the demands of the job due to the effects of CMT, John continued to support his family in innumerable other ways. John and Karen enjoyed working together on many projects including flipping houses. John has worked on his children's homes and cars. He most recently helped his son draw a remodeled blueprint for his house in Bixby, Oklahoma. He oversaw the new construction of his daughter's home until the final three days before his death. John always had a smile for everyone and a sarcastic joke at the ready, particularly for his wife. He wasn't afraid to fight and you never had to wonder what he was thinking. John passed from this life on May 12, 2021 at the age of 65 in his home in Wayne, Oklahoma with his wife, son and daughter by his side. He is preceded in death by his parents, Wilburn and Edith Burris, and sister Gloria Harris. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Karen (Murray) Burris; daughter April Maxey and husband Tony, as well as their children Miranda and Ethan Click and Julian and Tuesday Vetor; son John Burris II and wife Meg, and their daughter Charlotte; sisters Donna Alexander and Pamela Canfield; brothers Roger Burris and James Burris; and countless nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Never will his family begin a new creative endeavor without first wondering what he would have thought. John's brilliance will live on in his grandchildren with Miranda's love of learning, Ethan's interests in photography and Charlotte's enthusiasm for painting. There will be a private memorial for family and friends for John at his home on May 29th.

John Burris

November 14, 1955 - May 12, 2021