John W. Burris

?John Warren Burris, 102, died Tuesday December 5, 2017 at his daughter's home in Dyersburg, Tennessee. Born Wednesday November 24, 1915 in Cedar County, Missouri, he was the son of the late William Hiram Burris and the late Lillie Maude Stephens Burris.

As a teenager, John left home to find work during the Great Depression, making his way to California where he worked as a farm laborer, ranch hand, and for many years in the lumber industry in northern California. While living in San Diego, he was working at Consolidated Aircraft when Pearl Harbor was attacked. On January 2, 1942, John enlisted in the Marine Corps, serving over three years in the Pacific, and was stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina when the Second World War ended. Returning to California, he owned various businesses, worked for Ventura County Department of Weights and Measures for several years, and participated in Poinsettia Masonic Lodge. On April 20, 1957 he and Carolyn Hope Ainley were married in Woodlake, California. In March 1961 he moved his family to Stockton, Missouri where he operated a cattle ranch. Following the family's return to Woodlake, California in June 1973, he built the family home, and participated in Visalia Toastmasters Club, Tulare County Genealogical Society, and Woodlake Presbyterian Church. In March 2004, John and Hope moved to Alturas, California where Hope died January 25, 2012. John moved to Dyersburg in August 2014.

He is survived by two daughters, Melodee Chapman and husband Willis of Dyersburg, Tennessee and Carolyn Hughes and husband John of Alturas, California; seven grandchildren Nathan Chapman and fiancee Erin Carrillo, Jacob Hughes and girlfriend Arien Church, Bethany Mayo and husband Josh, Janel Godfrey and husband Tanner, Ben Chapman and wife Laura, John Hughes Jr. and wife Camie, and Hannah Ashworth and husband Jake; six great-grandchildren Ezra Wallis Mayo, Jenna Elizabeth Godfrey, Silas Andrew Mayo, Jarrett Elijah Godfrey, Evelyn Hope Chapman, and Ainley Ann Mayo. He is also survived by two brothers-in-law, Dr. Richard Ainley of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Frank Ainley of Woodlake, California, a cousin Gerald Stephens of Bolivar, Missouri, and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife Hope; one brother William Burris, and five sisters Maude Heany, Cora Lee Collins, Mildred Swanson, Edith Monchamp, and Marjorie Lowry.

Memorial funeral service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 12, 2017 at First Presbyterian Church.  The Burris family will receive friends beginning at 6:00 p.m. until service time.

Final burial and funeral service will be at the Woodlake Presbyterian Church in Woodlake CA at a later date.

The family requests memorials be directed to Community Bible Study, 790 Stout Road, Colorado Springs, COâ  80921-3802.

Cremation arrangements entrusted to Curry Funeral Home. You may share your condolences and your memories with the Burris family at www.curryfuneral.com