Garnett R. Burks
January 4, 1935 — January 15, 2009
Garnett R. Burks, Jr. 74, of Las Cruces, N.M., died on January 15, 2009 at Mesilla Valley Hospice La Posada. He was born January 4, 1935 in Socorro, N.M. to Marian and Garnett Burks, Sr. He attended the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, where he was a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity, and earned a bachelor's degree in 1957. He completed law school at the University of New...
Garnett R. Burks, Jr. 74, of Las Cruces, N.M., died on January 15, 2009 at Mesilla Valley Hospice La Posada. He was born January 4, 1935 in Socorro, N.M. to Marian and Garnett Burks, Sr. He attended the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, where he was a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity, and earned a bachelor's degree in 1957. He completed law school at the University of New Mexico in 1959. Immediately after, he moved to Las Cruces and began a private practice of law until 1971 when he was appointed a District Judge for the State of New Mexico. He stepped down from the bench in 1990, and resumed a private legal practice until retiring in 2008. Throughout his career, he maintained a strong commitment to public service. He served as a member of the New Mexico State Penitentiary Board, a member of the House of Representatives in the New Mexico Legislature, a delegate to the New Mexico State Constitutional Convention of 1969, and organized the 1970 gubernatorial campaign for Gov. Bruce King. During his life, he served many different organizations including the Yucca Boy Scout Council. He was an elder at the 1st Presbyterian Church of Las Cruces, NM, and active in several Masonic Organizations including Socorro Lodge No. 9, Dona Ana Daylight Lodge No. 78, York Right and Scottish Rite Masonry, the Shriners, and the National Sojourners. In his personal time, he most enjoyed spending time with his family and his dogs, while pursuing hobbies of reading and garde...
Garnett R. Burks, Jr. 74, of Las Cruces, N.M., died on January 15, 2009 at Mesilla Valley Hospice La Posada. He was born January 4, 1935 in Socorro, N.M. to Marian and Garnett Burks, Sr. He attended the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, where he was a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity, and earned a bachelor's degree in 1957. He completed law school at the University of New Mexico in 1959. Immediately after, he moved to Las Cruces and began a private practice of law until 1971 when he was appointed a District Judge for the State of New Mexico. He stepped down from the bench in 1990, and resumed a private legal practice until retiring in 2008. Throughout his career, he maintained a strong commitment to public service. He served as a member of the New Mexico State Penitentiary Board, a member of the House of Representatives in the New Mexico Legislature, a delegate to the New Mexico State Constitutional Convention of 1969, and organized the 1970 gubernatorial campaign for Gov. Bruce King. During his life, he served many different organizations including the Yucca Boy Scout Council. He was an elder at the 1st Presbyterian Church of Las Cruces, NM, and active in several Masonic Organizations including Socorro Lodge No. 9, Dona Ana Daylight Lodge No. 78, York Right and Scottish Rite Masonry, the Shriners, and the National Sojourners. In his personal time, he most enjoyed spending time with his family and his dogs, while pursuing hobbies of reading and gardening. He is survived by his wife Carol Burks of Las Cruces, N.M., his daughter Maureen Kinney and her husband Curtis Turcotte of Las Cruces, N.M., his daughter Edith Burks of Las Cruces, N.M., his son Scott Burks of Baltimore, M.D., and his sister Nancy Fiske and her husband Bill Fiske of El Paso, T.X., and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Marian and Garnett Burks, Sr., and his son Garnett "Gary" Burks. A memorial service will be held at 2 PM on Wednesday January 21, 2009 at Getz Funeral Home with a gravesite service to follow immediately at the Masonic cemetery. It is requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Mesilla Valley Hospice or other charitable organization. PDF Printable Version
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