Michael Ogden Burks

A native of Baton Rouge and resident of Denham Springs, he died Wednesday, April 14, 2010, at The Carpenter House of St. Joseph Hospice. He was a retired caterer and an Army military policeman during the Korean War. Visiting at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East, 11000 Florida Blvd., Friday, April 16, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. until religious service at 10 a.m., conducted by the Rev. Keith Zachary. Interment in Roselawn Memorial Park. He is survived by his wife, Linnie Gaudin Burks: three daughters, Lisa Burks Strecker and husband John, Lesli Burks Mitchell and husband Mike, and Genny Burks Patterson and husband Eric "Fuzzy;" six sons, Michael Paul Burks and wife Karrie, Shawn Spencer Burks and wife Jill, Gregory Reily Burks and wife Rena, Todd Wayne Burks and wife Elisabeth, Chad Lester Burks and wife Kimberly, and Perry Lynn Burks; cousins, John Reily and Barry Reily; 20 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by his father, Spencer J. Burks; mother, Jessie R. Burks; son, Bryan Keith; daughter, Lauren Louise; and granddaughter, Danielle. Active pallbearers will be Michael Paul Burks, Shawn Spencer Burks, Gregory Reily Burks, Todd Wayne Burks, Chad Lester Burks and Perry Lynn Burks. Honorary pallbearers are Laverne Perry and Troy Chiek. Mr. Burks was a graduate of Baton Rouge High School, Copiah-Lincoln Community College and Tulane University. He was a local restaurateur and caterer for 35 years and the first graduate of the Boilermaker Apprentice Program.