Thomas Melvin Burks

Thomas Melvin Burks, 90, of Avon, passed away unexpectedly on March 29, 2024 in Okeechobee, Florida.  He was born on August 26, 1933 in New Albany, Indiana, to the late Carrie (Hedgepeth) and Wash Burks.  He was a U. S. Navy veteran.  Tom married Eleanor Louise Adamson on December 24, 1958 in Miller, Missouri.  Soon after starting their marriage and settling into Kansas City, Tom was transferred by the Federal Aviation Administration to the Indianapolis Air Traffic Control Center, making Avon, IN their home.  Tom completed lots of training in Oklahoma City and held many leadership positions as a facilities engineer before retiring in 1990 as the Facilities Center Manager.   
Tom was a long-time member of Plainfield Baptist Church before transferring his membership to Plainfield Christian Church.  He also attended First Baptist Church of Okeechobee for the past 30 plus years while he and Eleanor wintered at their home in Florida.  His faith was a foundation to how he lived.
Tom was an avid outdoorsman, and he had a knack for excelling at most anything he attempted. Tom was president of the Conservation Bird Dog Club in Amo and instrumental in founding the National Shoot to Retrieve Association.  He raised English pointers and won the national Dog of the Year and Champion of Champions Trials.  As a skilled angler, Tom was past president of the Central Indiana B.A.S.S. Federation, and successfully fished for several years in the FLW tournament series. He spent many days on the lake with friends catching the “big one”.  He also had a passion for golf, even hitting a “hole in one” at Deer Creek golf course in 2006.
Whatever his accomplishments, Tom accumulated a bountiful collection of friends along the way. Many have enjoyed the fellowship at one of his backyard fish fry dinners.  He never turned down an opportunity to share a joke, his wisdom and an extra tomato from the garden.  If he met you as a stranger, you would leave as a friend.  
He leaves behind a beautiful legacy of family.  He so loved his wife and was proud of his girls.  Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Eleanor Burks of Avon; daughters, Lisa (John) Ramey, Lori (Chris) Harding, both of Avon, Lynn (Steve) Halfaker of Danville; 6 grandchildren, Adam Ramey, Lauren (Tony) Stevenson, Chad (Arika) Harding, Caselyn (Trevor) Schmidt, Scott Halfaker, Ellen Halfaker; 4 great grandchildren and one on the way.  His parents and siblings, Juanita, Glenn, William and Dewey Burks, preceded him in death.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, April 06, 2024 in Plainfield Christian Church with entombment to follow at Maple Hill Cemetery Mausoleum, Plainfield.  Visitation will be from 10:00 am until the service time in the church.  Memorial contributions may be made to Sheltering Wings or Sycamore Services.  Hall-Baker Funeral Home, Plainfield, is handling the arrangements.  Online condolences may be made at www.bakerfuneralservice.com
 

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