Clarence Burks, Jr.

Clarence Herbert Burks, Jr.

Clarence Herbert Burks, Jr., 87, embarked on his heavenly journey on September 2, 2020 in hopes of finding freshly stocked rivers and lakes to cast his line. Clarence was the only child born to Clarence Herbert, Sr. and Carrie Marie Burks of Champaign, Illinois on April 8, 1933.

A 1952 graduate of Champaign High School, Clarence excelled in football and track. But it was his athleticism on the basketball court, not to mention his tremendous height, that garnered him a scholarship to St. Augustine University in Raleigh, North Carolina. He was the first in his family to attend college. While attending St. Augustine’s, Clarence would pledge his beloved fraternity, though he would not formally cross the bridge to become a member of Kappa Alpha Psi until 1985. Following his college graduation, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education and Recreation, his love of basketball led him to try out for the Harlem Globetrotters where he played on their string teams. An injury sidelined him just before he was to travel with the team to Germany thus officially ending his basketball career.

Clarence then became a teacher, drove a school bus, coached boys and girls basketball and served as Director of Recreation for the Black Community Center of Wilson, NC. Years later he returned to Champaign, Illinois with his family and learned of an opportunity with Job Corps. That position took him Camp Atterbury just outside of Indianapolis, Indiana where he met and married Kathy Burks who precedes him. He remained with Job Corps for ten years before assuming the role of Director of Patient Affairs for Wishard Hospital. While at Wishard he completed a master’s degree in Education from IUPUI. From there he worked for the City of Indianapolis teaching CDL classes.

In April of 2000, CB as he was affectionately known, married Patricia (Claxon) Holmes. The two would ride off into retirement together after working for Wayne Township for ten years as school bus drivers. CB and Pat are members of First Baptist North Church and are blessed to have met many good friends through their time of worship. CB also spent most of his adult life surrounded by his group of fishing buddies whose tales were nearly as tall as CB himself. CB loved to teach others how to fish. He especially enjoyed his time on the dock behind their home where he would line the grandkids, and adults alike, with fishing poles to see what might tug on the line from their pond. When they were not fishing, CB and Pat could be found hosting friends and family, inflating the latest round of decorations for their yard, enjoying time with their many dogs and cats or at their local pub enjoying a margarita. Hopefully, he is enjoying a little bit of each of these things with those friends and family members who preceded him.

Clarence is survived by his wife, Pat, his children Anthony Arnold Burks (Stephanie) of Raleigh NC, Valencia Burks Hill (John) of Wilson NC, Carlos DeVon Burks (Sheryl) of Wilson NC, Baron Keith Burks of Wilson NC, Vincent Ronald Burks of Los Angeles CA and step-children Ron Holmes, Melinda (Herman) King, Melissa (Tom) Conrad, Brian (Paula) Holmes and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Daughters Brenda Burks and Gloria Burks Bynum precede him. CB requested that special thanks be given to his son Vincent, daughter Val and his two stepdaughters and their spouses, Melinda and Herman King and Melissa and Tom Conrad for the time, care and compassion extended to him in his later years and illness before his passing.

Visitation will be held at Flanner Buchanan – Washington Park East, 10722 E Washington Street, Indianapolis, on Friday, September 11, 2020 from 12:00- 02:00 pm with services beginning at 02:00 pm.